Published by the Westchester Community College Foundation 75 Grasslands Road Valhalla, New York 10595 NOVEMBER, 2009

CAREER CENTER SEEKS KAPPA SIGMA KAPPA AWARDS FIRST SCHOLARSHIP TECHNOLOGY ALUMS FOR Kappa Sigma Kappa, a social fraternity which was ex- To date, a total of twenty-one KSK brothers contrib- NOVEMBER 20TH PANEL tremely active on campus from 1957 to 1974, presented the uted to the endowed scholarship fund which now exceeds fi rst award from its new Endowed Scholarship Fund at the $10,000, allowing for an annual scholarship of $500 each Marilyn Merker of the Career & Transfer Center writes: October 14, 2009 Scholarship Recognition Ceremony. KSK October. Their goal is to continue to raise enough funds so The Career & Transfer Center at Westchester Commu- Brothers Gary Cotter, Rich DeMuth, and Kevin Molloy were that a larger award will be possible in the future. So far they nity College is embarking on a series of Career Panel events on hand for the event, which marked a new and exciting have surpassed their original goal by 20% and are still go- and would like to have your assistance in making them a chapter in the history of the fratern- ing strong. valuable experience for our students. ity at Westchester Community The Kappa Sigma Kappa If you would like to discuss your career path as it re- College. Scholarship will be presented to lates to the major you had at Westchester Community Col- Efforts to establish a scholar- a student who demonstrates aca- lege, please let us know. The panels will take about 3 hours ship endowment were begun at demic excellence and financial of your day and will be a wonderful way to “give back” to KSK’s 50th anniversary celebration need. The fi rst recipient, Daniel the school. here on campus three years ago. Pozernick, is a straight-A student Our fi rst panel will be held on November 20th for the The brothers who attended de- currently majoring in Liberal Arts/ Technology students. If you completed a degree in Civil, cided that a scholarship endow- Math-Science who hopes to get Mechanical, Electrical or Computer Technology we want to ment would be a permanent re- into the radiological technology hear from you. Let us know if you are available that morn- minder of the fraternity’s presence program. ing to share your career experience. Did you continue your at WCC. Fraternity brother Kevin education beyond WCC? Did you extend your career path The fundraising drive was Molloy is committed to giving back in these areas? spearheaded by brothers Cotter, through his continuing support, If you would like to take part in this or other programs, Molloy and DeMuth. Their initial and recently issued a challenge to please let us know as well. You can reach us by email at: goal of $10,000 (the minimum his KSK brothers to match his new [email protected] or by phone at: 914-606-8574. needed for a scholarship endow- donations to the fund. Just let us know your major at WCC, the fi eld you are in ment) was reached this summer, offi cially establishing the “Westchester Community College and Kappa Sigma Kappa today and your interest in participating in a Career Panel. KSK Scholarship. Fraternity both had a positive infl uence on my life. I am committed to continuing my support of the scholarship.” In response to his “call to action,” another $4,000 was raised for the scholarship in twelve days. FOOTBALL REUNION REINFORCES OLD BONDS For more information regarding establishing annual or endowed named scholarships, please contact Ilene By Don Weigand, ‘72 Lieberman, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Develop- th ment, at (914) 606-6834, or [email protected] On June 6 , 60 former members of the Westchester “It was great going down memory lane and renewing Community College football team returned to the campus friendships while also making new ones. I am still shaking for their 2nd annual reunion. my head that after all these years there exists such a power- Alumni members from as far west as Nevada and south ful camaraderie among a group of guys whose sole connec- SPORTS HALL OF FAME to Florida took advantage of the occasion to get reac- tion was playing football. Who knew it at the time that the quainted with the College and fellow ball players many of countless “up-downs”, monkey rolls and other torture de- whom they hadn’t vices concocted by INDUCTION CEREMONY seen in nearly forty the coaching staff up years! at Camp Smith would The fourth Annual Westchester Community College Ronald Watson help forge a bunch of Sports Hall of Fame Induction Awards Ceremony and Din- a recently retired kids from diverse USMC Lt. Colonel ner will be held on Saturday, November 21, at Juliano’s Res- backgrounds not taurant in New Rochelle. said that it was “a only into winners in great day...with great football, but winners The Hall of Fame inductees include outstanding indi- memories. Seeing all in life as well,” said viduals who have achieved greatness in their positions here the guys and hearing Bob Lappe. at the college or who have gone on to achieve national of their post football The day could prominence in their respective sport. successes made it not have been as This years honorees are: Elizabeth Clark (basketball/ clear that our com- successful as it was softball), Audrey Cherny (tennis/swimming,) Walter Hauck mon rite of passage without the leader- (bowling), Steve Washington (basketball), and Gene enabled us all to drive ship expressed by Westmoreland (golf). onto glory. Looking Andre Herrera and Special Service Awards will also be presented to Pro- forward to next year!” recently retired FBI fessors Angelo DelGrosso and Debra Marchesani for their Former football Agent Joaquin meritorious years of service. coach Max Bowman rearranged an important speaking en- “Jock” Garcia the author of the recently published “The The evening will include special presentations to the gagement and fl ew in from Texas where he now resides and Making of Jack Falcone” which describes his 24 years as an award recipients, dinner, and a sports memorabilia sale. coaches. There were members from the 1971 National Club undercover agent responsible for exposing corrupt police Ticket prices are $50.00 each or $500.00 for a table of Football Championship Team (they beat St. John’s Univer- in New Jersey and Miami as well as his infi ltration of the ten. Please respond by Monday, November 2, 2009 by call- sity 14 – 12 before some estimated 12,000 fans) and mem- New York mob families. ing 914 606-7895, or e-mail [email protected]. bers of the last team in 1991.

CLASS OF 1959 CELEBRATES AT 50TH REUNION

Twenty-four members of the Westchester Community The alums who attended were: Ronald Angilello, Duval ago to the annual commencement ceremony was started by College class of 1959 arrived at the Valhalla campus on May Cellai, Joseph J. Cunnane, Cesare DeFeo, Michael DeFeo, the Foundation in 2000 as part of the college’s Milennium 21st to celebrate their fi ftieth reunion. It was the largest Richard Dobeck, Joyce Ellis, Vincent Fazio, Katy Brady celebration. Now in its tenth year, the event has become gathering of 50-year alumni held to date, with WCC grads Feinsot, Ida Gramaglia, Anita Granberg, Rita Vosilla Jacobs, one of the high- coming from as far away as Colorado, Illinois, and Florida. Susan Kosche, Madeleine Lambrelli, Marianne Vosilla Levy, lights of Com- Ben Mathews, Joan Kapf Oakes, William Ottly, Peter Pizzuco, mencement to Virginia Sharpe Radi, Dr. both the past and Fred J. Ricci, Anthony present gradu- Valentino, John Volpi, and ates. The return- Connie White. ing alumni are al- After attending a re- ways thrilled with ception in their honor and the heartwarming a pre-Commencement buf- welcome and rec- fet, the 50-year alums ognition that they donned caps and gowns receive. And and took part in the for the current college’s 2009 Commence- graduating class, it is impressive to see how strong a bond ment ceremony. They led exists between the college and the students who graduated the procession of graduates and were called up to the stage half a century ago. to be recognized individually. Hopefully, members of the class of 2009 will return to The tradition of inviting the graduates of fi fty years campus in 2059 to celebrate their fi ftieth reunion!

447457_FWCC.indd7457_FWCC.indd 1 111/5/091/5/09 2:18:172:18:17 PMPM 2009 Alumnus Is Othmer’s Book Looks Already Famous At Advertising Game The

Jarrid Famous has only been an alumnus since last James P. Othmer, ‘80, published his second book in President’s May but he is already making headlines, and has been since September. “Adland: Searching for the Meaning of Life on his undergraduate days on the WCC basketball team. a Branded Planet” is a 320-page memoir of his 20 years on Shortly after joining the Westcos, the 6-foot-11 center Madison Avenue as an advertising executive with power- Corner captured the attention of coaches and recruiters from all house agency Young & Rubicam. SmartMoney.com lists it November, 2009 over the country who recognized that as one of seven books to read this fall. Dear Alumnus/Alumna, this young man was no ordinary tal- Othmer’s book gives It is hard to believe that it has been four decades since ent. By the time Famous was in his readers a realistic look at the two men named Harold Drimmer and John Kley had the second year at WCC he was being storied world of advertising, vision and generosity to establish the Westchester Com- scouted by just about every four-year a fi eld often highly romanti- munity College Foundation. After recruiting several of their college with a basketball team. Offers cized in fi lms and on TV. colleagues in the areas of business and education to join poured in from schools around the Most of these movies and this new venture, they went around to local corporations to country that wanted Jarrid to play for shows “are fun and make for solicit contributions to provide small “scholarships” to stu- them. interesting viewing”, said dents who wanted to extend their education beyond high He narrowed the list down to his Othmer. “But really it is a lot school but were unable to afford the modest tuition costs at top 5 picks--Arizona, Missouri, of meetings and coming up the community college in Valhalla. Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, and with ideas. And that’s not so Messrs. Drimmer and Kley and the other members of South Florida, and made offi cial much fun to watch.” the new organization could never have imagined that within visits to each school. It seemed Othmer said that his forty years the Foundation would not only be giving out as if the whole college sports book not only attempts to one million dollars in scholarships each year, but would world was holding its breath, show how the advertising also be providing funds for faculty development, child care, waiting to see who would “win” industry really works, but alumni affairs, emergency student aid, and a host of other the Westchester superstar. Fa- also to make readers realize that they are in control of what things not covered by the college’s budget. They could mous fi nally made his choice and products are seen in ads--and ultimately sold. never have imagined that the Foundation’s fund-raising abil- in September he headed south As former Executive Creative Director at Young & ity would grow to such an extent that it would raise millions to the University of South Rubicam, Othmer worked on accounts for such giant cor- of dollars to help renovate and expand the library and ulti- Florida, where he is now play- porations as AT&T, Accenture, and KFC. One of his former mately to make possible the magnifi cent Gateway Center. ing for the Bulls under head co-workers said Othmer’s memoir portrayed their shared The Foundation Board that was fi rst established in 1969 coach Stan Heath. ad-men experiences, adding that “He has a great gift for quickly became a treasure trove of individuals who similarly “We’ll have a good starting distilling a complicated marketplace into a funny story”. had the kind of foresight demonstrated by the two founders. fi ve with Famous”, said Heath. His fi rst book, a novel, came out in 2005. “The Futur- Manfred Moses, Raymond Keyes, Frank McCullough, Hans “This is the year to move up; ist” is about a guy who doles out careful advice and predic- Reiss, Jack Stadler, Sophia Abeles, Virginia Marx, Betsy Stern, there is a little bit of a changing tions to governments, corporations and world leaders. The David Swope are some of the key people in the Foundation’s of the guard.” Amazon.com website described it as “an absolutely origi- extraordinary success story. Many of these stellar indi- nal novel that is driven by equal parts corrosively funny viduals were fi rst introduced to the Foundation, and the satire, genuine physical fear, and heartfelt moral anguish.” college, by Mrs. Nina Jones Fink, who has herself been a JohnJohn Egan: Egan A Back New onCD, Rights to “The Futurist” were sold in more than 10 coun- member of the Board since 1975 and has been its driving tries, and a movie is in the works. force for more than three decades. Broadway;A New Broadway New CD Role Due Doubleday, which handled both of Othmer’s books, Needless to say there was a need for administrative will also publish his next book, “Holy Water,” a novel about direction of the Foundation. Several individuals served in a Third World country invaded by marketers and branded that position before the current Executive Director, Shirley John Treacy Egan, ‘83, added another Broadway role products. to his resume when the new revival of “Bye Bye Birdie” A. Phillips, took over the position in 1988. Mrs. Phillips, Othmer, 48, still has vivid memories of the English who is now also Vice President of External Affairs, has spear- opened on October 15th. John, who got rave reviews for courses he took at WCC with Prof. Frank Madden, Journal- his last Broadway role as Chef Louis in “The Little Mer- headed the Foundation’s amazing growth for more than ism courses with Prof. Helen Smith, and Creative Writing twenty years. Under her leadership the Foundation has maid”, plays the part of Mr. Johnson in “Birdie”. courses with Prof. Shirley Kim. He went on to Northeastern While he loves being an actor, John also devotes much achieved goals that none of its founders ever envisioned. University in Boston, receiving a B.S. in Journalism. He The college now has a Volunteer Corps - more than 350 of his time to his singing career. With one CD already to his later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writ- credit he recently announced that his latest, “On Christmas qualifi ed Westchesterites who work on campus as tutors, ing from NYU, where his fi ction adviser was E.L. Doctorow. mentors, “Conversation Partners”, “Green Thumbs”, and Morning”, will be released in early November. Jim Othmer lives in Mahopac with his wife Judy, whom “I am so excited about my new Christmas CD”, he said. more, and the number of volunteers grows higher every he credits with giving him the support he needed to realize year. The Native Plant Center has become a prestigious and “I love Christmas music and I had the honor of working with his dream of becoming a full-time writer. some really fi ne musicians on this project”. infl uential voice in the area of conservation and restoration John plans to donate $1 of the native trees, plants and fl owers of our region. The from the sale of each CD to Bill Winters Speaks at Virginia Marx Children’s Center provides state-of-the-art Broadway Cares/Equity child care for parents attending classes on campus, as well Fights Aids. “BC/EFA is Media Dept. Event as members of the surrounding community. Events such as now so much more than a The President’s Forum, Celebrity Salons, and Spring for charity that provides fund- Director of Photography Bill Winters, ‘96, a graduate Scholarships combine learning, culture, and entertainment ing and services directly to of Westchester Community College and the prestigious with the necessary task of raising funds to continue the people living with HIV/ NYU Tisch School of the Arts fi lm school, returned to WCC work of aiding students in fi nancial need. AIDS, it also provides funds to take part in a discussion entitled “Meet the Pros” spon- All these things--and many more--are the result of the to The Phyllis Newman’s sored by the Communications & Media Arts Dept. and the Westchester Community College Foundation’s work over Women’s Health Initiative to Beebe Chair in Communications. the past forty years, and we congratulate them for achiev- fi ght women’s health issues, Bill, who is the son of WCC Professor William Winters, ing an “impossible dream”. including breast cancer, and (also a WCC alumnus) has a versatile credit roster, includ- Sincerely, to the Al Hirshfeld Free Clinic and Health Network as ing shooting a host of spots for brand-name advertisers well as many other charities across the U.S.” such as Nike, Microsoft, Apple, Tommy Hilfi ger, Panasonic, Joseph N. Hankin “On Christmas Morning” will be available online at Sony, Chevrolet, Ford, MTV--the list goes on and on. Bill shot the award-winning hip-hop documentary Beyond Beats www.CDBABY.com or on John’s website, www.JohnTreacyEgan.com. It can also be downloaded & Rhymes, which premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Fes- from www.itunes.com. tival, and the Grand Prize-winning fi lm for the 2007 Chrysler John will be performing two solo Christmas concerts at Film project. He worked with directors Joe Berlinger and WCC ENTREPRENEURS: The Castle in Tarrytown on December 6th and December Bruce Sinofsky on the fi lm, Metallica: Some Kind of Mon- 13th at 8 p.m. He’ll be happy to autograph the new Christ- ster and a TV show that presently airs on The Sundance LISA STAMATELOS mas CD, as well as his fi rst release, “Count the Stars”. The Channel titled Iconoclasts. His work has taken him all over number to call for reservations is 914-631-3646; the website the world, from Iceland to Shanghai, but he always enjoys coming home to New York. Lisa Stamatelos, ‘01, is a Human Resources Profes- is www.Castleonthehudson.com sional with over 20 years of management experience work- ing with rapidly growing and changing companies. Her ex- Foundation Mourns Loss of Doug Birdsall-- pertise includes employment law, recruiting, employee and labor relations as well as training and development. Alumnus, Board Member, and Friend She recently decided to use her knowledge to start her own company, LJS HR Services A graduate of the class of 1966, Doug Birdsall was pas- resources. He had no career plans and no thought of continu- (www.ljshrservices.com). “ I still have sionate about Westchester Community College and providing ing his education beyond a two-year degree. Then he met my ‘day’ job but am working diligently scholarships to students was his primary concern. He faith- Dean Angelo Delgrosso, who recognized his potential and at growing my business,” she said. fully attended practically every Scholarship recognition cer- became his mentor and friend. Doug went on to a highly LJS HR Services is a human re- emony: fi rst as a scholarship recipient himself; then as a successful management career in the aviation industry, sources consulting fi rm dedicated to providing human resources services to becoming President and CEO of New York Air and later, business executive and keynote speaker; and, later, as a small businesses. Lisa believes that WCC Foundation board member and scholarship ceremony Senior Vice President at Northwest Airlines. the outsourcing of human resources presenter. He was a member of the Foundation’s Executive In 1997, Birdsall honored his mentor by establishing a can greatly benefi t many small com- Committee, an active participant on the Scholarship Com- scholarship in his name at the college. He started the fund panies by saving them money and free- mittee, and chair of the Board’s Alumni Committee, with a gift of $5,000 to the Foundation, and continued to ing up workers to do other jobs. which sought to network make regular contributions each year. This year the Angelo Lisa received her Bachelor of Business Administration with, and involve alumni in Delgrosso Scholarship endowment reached over $200,000. (summa cum laude) and MBA from Pace University. She the life of the college. Approximately 50 students have benefi ted from Doug’s received the Lubin School of Business Scholastic Achieve- Doug enrolled at the desire to “give back.” ment Award and was selected for Who’s Who Among Stu- college in 1964 because it A family man who brought values and tradition to those he dents In American Colleges and Universities. Lisa is an adjunct faculty member at the Lubin School , provided the only oppor- loved, Doug was an inspiration through his positive outlook, serves on the advisory board for the College of Westchester tunity for higher education encouragement, and most importantly, his desire to help those and volunteers as a mentor for the Society of Human Re- available to him, given his in need. sources. Her new company’s address is: LJS HR Services family’s limited fi nancial | P.O. Box 572 | Yorktown Heights, NY 10598.

47457_FWCC.indd 2 11/5/09 2:18:19 PM Alumnotes 1949 1971 2004 DONALD COOK is interested in having a reunion of RUSSELL DeWITT is currently living TRACEY DiBRINO is a General Manager for Synergy the class of 1949. If you graduated that year from what in Sandpoint, Idaho. Russell attended WCC from 1970 to Workplaces and has been with the company since 2004. Syn- was then known as the New York State Institute of Applied 1971 and was a member of the wrestling team, recruited ergy Workplaces provides “Virtual offi ce” space for small Arts and Sciences, please contact us as we are missing the from Bergenfield, New Jersey by Tony Mezzatesta. businesses, home-based businesses records of many graduates from 1949. Call us at (914) 606- “I had a and startups. Some features of a “vir- 6559 or e-mail [email protected]. wonderful time tual offi ce” include fully furnished of- there that year,” fi ce space for a day, a week, a month- he writes. “The -or even a few hours; telephone an- 1951 college fl ew the swering services; conference or meet- RAYMOND J. CARTER traveled from Florida to at- entire wrestling ing rooms; the support of an admin- tend the Commencement ceremonies on May 21 and see his team to Florida istrative team; and an address in a granddaughter, ROBIN MASCIO, receive her degree in because we prestigious building. Radiology Technology. Another of his granddaughters, went from al- Tracey would like to extend to MICHELLE MASCIO, graduated from WCC in 2007. most having our all fellow WCC Alumni the option to program can- try out the Virtual Offi ce or Full Time 1958 celed to being Offi ce program free for one month! Visit Synergy’s website JAMES SULLIVAN had a long career in the battery an undefeated at www.synergyworkplaces.com Tracey can be reached at business after graduating from WCC fi fty-one years ago. team that year. I [email protected] or 914-468-0800. He spent 17 years at the Duracell Company in Chicago where had a blast there and wished I could have stayed another he designed and sold the fi rst end-of-life circuit and battery year. Instead I transferred out to Nebraska on another schol- 2005 for smoke alarms. After that he worked at PCI in New Jersey arship. I wanted to go to the Northwest, so here I am. I’m JASON MOSKOWITZ continued his education at for 18 years as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He currently enjoying Sandpoint, Idaho, a lovely unspoiled the University of Connecticut and graduated cum laude in 2007. designed the 5 Lithium primary batteries for US Army and winter and summer resort area, after moving north from the He received a B.S. in Marketing and was at the top of his state of charge circuity, as well as thermal batteries for Lake Tahoe, California area--a spoiled resort area. We live class in the Program for Sales Excellence. Before graduat- missiles, sonobuoys etc. All of these are still in use today. on the nation’s 3rd largest lake, Pend Oreille. I’m sending ing Jason locked up a position in the Small Business Ser- Jim was Vice President and then CEO of Ultralife in you a picture of my “neighborhood”. vices Division of ADP (Automatic Data Processing) and Rochester, NY, a manufacturer of primary and secondary went to work for the company in January ’08. He was lithium batteries. In addition to his corporate background, 1977 promoted to Regional Training Specialist after 6 months, Jim started his own company, Cymbet, in Minnesota and OWEN BORDA completed his Ph.D. in interdiscipli- and last March was transferred to the #1 territory in Man- also acquired overseas companies and converted them to nary studies. He wrote to express his thanks to Dr. Hankin hattan as District Manager. Jason also plays on 6 organized military suppliers. and the WCC faculty “for giving me such a great start”. sports teams and works at his synagogue on weekends. Jim retired to DeBary, Florida last year and is enjoying the “monsoon weather”, as he put it. He discovered fellow classmate JOSEPH BROWNE ‘58 on Facebook, which led 1984 2006 him to get back in touch with WCC. JIMMY ORTIZ, Global Business Account Manager MICHAEL CAROZZA recently graduated from Iona for the USPS, has been appointed as Universal Postal Union with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. He is hoping to go (UPU) Regional Coordinator for Latin America. In his new on to grad school and is considering Hunter College or 1959 position he oversees UPU projects in the region covering Yeshiva University. CESARE DeFEO recently established two annually- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, renewable scholarships of $3,000 each here at the college; Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hon- RENATA KELLY, a native of Hungary, became a U.S. one through the Italian Club and one in support of a stu- duras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uru- citizen on August 28, 2009 and came straight over to WCC dent in Electrical Engineering. Cesare was at his class’ 50th guay and Venezuela. to share the good news with Dr. Hankin and her former reunion in May with his brother MICHAEL, also a 1959 UPU Director General Edouard Dayan said that Ortiz’ teachers. Now a student at Columbia, Renata is currently graduate. appointment increases representation for the United States studying for the LSAT in December and plans to apply to within the UPU International Bureau, the arm of the agency law school in 2010 or 2011. KATY BRADY FEINSOT also attended the reunion that provides logistical and technical support among mem- Renata has been a tour- and wrote to the Alumni Offi ce: “I am fi nally on my home ber nations and develops postal markets. Dayan also said nament chess player for over turf and imagine things have quieted down some in your he is confi dent that Ortiz will “make a substantial contri- 20 years, and was hired by Co- work arena. Thursday was a whirlwind of fun activities, bution to the Union’s development cooperation projects in lumbia to teach beginner, in- good food and happy faces of our 50 year graduates topped the coming years.” termediate, advanced and tour- off with spectacular weather. Thank you and your very help- nament chess classes at The ful staff for making our second graduation such a success. School at Columbia University. It was fun to see older but familiar faces, even those who 1993 She also teaches in Scarsdale DENISE SANSEVERINO ZAFFUTO is a WCC gradu- needed a reintroduction! Our Med/Dental class of nine at Greenacres Elementary ate who is now a teacher in the Yonkers Public School sys- spent the night at the Rye Town Hilton where we rehashed School and at the Coachman tem. She fi rst started college at Iona but was not impressed the days events and concluded the day was a delightful Family Center in White Plains, with the faculty. She enrolled at WCC and went on to gradu- gathering of old friends and we felt so fortunate to be among as well as giving private chess ate with a degree in Liberal Arts. Three years later, in 1996, them. We are all ever so grateful. Have you started work- lessons to train kids for chess she received her Master’s degree from Pace University. ing on the next one? - but we can’t wait another 50 years!” tournaments. In addition to all this Renata has another job at Columbia, working as a Research Assistant in the Depart- BEN MATHEWS, another reunion attendee, also wrote: 1994 ment of Psychology, in the Visual Perception lab since 2007. “Thank you for the wonderful 50th Reunion. It was so nice RICK HYLAND, former director of WCC’s Yonkers She said, “I always try to keep myself busy and set new to be back at the WCC campus and to renew old acquain- Extension Center, has decided to pursue a teaching career. goals to achieve. Attending law school is next on my list tances. The celebration was well organized, with the wel- Rick is now a full-time faculty member in the Business De- and I really hope that I will have the strength to make this fare of the alumni kept in mind. I liked the commencement partment. He is also an active member of the Foundation’s dream come true too. Please cross your fi ngers for me to do ceremony, and once again receiving my “diploma”. My Alumni Committee. well on the LSAT!!!” sincere thanks to President Hankin, Dr. Iris Cook (she was delightful), and all the staff who contributed to such a mem- orable day for all of us from the Class of ‘59. I’ll keep in 1999 2008 NANCY INZINNA, former Viking News editor and now touch, and visit you as often as I can. Kindest regards to SERGIO F. SERRATTO came to the U.S. from Uru- Assistant Director for The Native Plant Center, wrote the all”. guay in 2000. Shortly afterward he went to work for Hudson following to Alumnews: Health Plan as a Marketing/Public Relations Representa- “On May 16, I graduated summa cum laude from the tive. He joined the Westchester County Hispanic Advisory 1970 Accelerated Program at Manhattanville. I can’t begin to Board and took part in other volunteer activities for the MARK LANDAU passed away on May 2 at Fountain explain how great it was to be back in school. The profes- county. By 2006 Sergio realized that he needed a degree in Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center in Ladera sors there were fabulous; much of what I learned from them order to realize his dream of becoming a business manager Ranch, California. Landau, who was 59, had undergone two was practical in- and open a community center. He left his job and enrolled at heart transplants, the fi rst in 1997 and the second in 2007. formation used in Westchester Community College, where he majored in Busi- When Mark’s wife, Sandra, also underwent heart transplant the business ness Administration and Liberal Arts. He was president of surgery in 2003 it made the headlines because the Landaus world. While it the Italian Club, national vice-president of Alpha Beta were believed to be the fi rst couple to have heart trans- took me nearly Gamma Business Honor Society, and student trustee on the plants. Mark earned an associate’s degree at WCC and ten years to re- college’s Board of Trustees. After graduation he transferred worked as an airline chef before marrying Sandra at age 22. turn to school, I to NYU where he is presently working on his bachelor’s They later purchased a “mom and pop” store in Ardsley, actually com- degree. Sergio wrote: “The quality of education that I NY and were well-known fi gures in the community. After pleted the pro- received here at WCC is superior and comparable to the the store was severely damaged by a fl ood in 1987, the gram in 18 same level of education I receive at NYU”. residual mold led to Landau’s myocarditis. months. The ************************************** classes were rig- orous, but I learned a great deal. One of the classes I took allowed me to create a blog JOIN WCC’S ONLINE for The NPC. Forrest Whitaker was the keynote speaker and Congressman Charles Rangel participated in the com- COMMUNITY AND BLOG mencement also. “I’ve attached a photo of my graduation day--I’m the short, happy one in the middle. I say that because when I WITH OLD FRIENDS! graduated from WCC in 1999, I was taller than my kids. Wow how the years go by too quickly. Carina’s entering WWW MYSUNYWCC ORG her junior year at Vassar, and doing a robotics fellowship in . . the lab over the summer. Alexander will be a junior in high school in the fall, so we’ll be looking at colleges for him Bill Regan, ‘72 (far right) Deputy Mayor of Yonkers, recently now. I still remember them tagging along with me to the met actor Matt Damon during the fi lming of a movie scene in Viking News when I was editor-in-chief. We had a lot of good friends there, and fond memories.” town. The women are also Yonkers employees.

447457_FWCC.indd7457_FWCC.indd 3 111/5/091/5/09 2:18:202:18:20 PMPM WCC Foundation Marks ALUMNEWS IS PUBLISHED BY Non-Profit WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION Organization 40th Anniversary HARTFORD HALL U.S. Postage PAID 75 GRASSLANDS ROAD White Plains, NY VALHALLA, NY 10595 Permit No. 9519 E-MAIL: [email protected] BARBARA CHRISTESEN, ALUMNEWS EDITOR

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

IN MEMORIAM IN MEMORIAM Coach Winston Nicholas Dean Calvin Johnson

Winston Nicholas, head coach of the men’s basketball Shortly after noon on Wednesday, July 22, a campus- team and former WCC Athletic Director, passed away on wide email from Vice President Chet Rogalski announced April 20th after a courageous battle with cancer. News of the unexpected passing of Dr. Calvin Johnson, Associate On September 23rd the Westchester Community Col- his death saddened not only the WCC family, but everyone Dean of the Division of Natural and Health Sciences. lege Foundation celebrated the 40th anniversary of its who follows college basketball. “We just received the information that our beloved col- incorporation with a luncheon at the Tappan Hill Man- Coach Nicholas was a gradu- league, who worked at the college for more than 22 years, sion in Tarrytown. Past and present members of the Foun- ate of Westchester Community Col- left us this morning. Throughout his dation Board, along with present staff members, were joined lege and also a former Westco. He tenure here, he was a strong propo- by Westchester County Executive Andy Spano to celebrate played during the 1981-82 season, nent of community college educa- the organization’s accomplishments. Shirley Phillips commuting from his home in Ja- tion, notably in the healthcare fi eld. (above), Vice President of External Affairs and Executive maica every day and never missing He also spent considerable time Director of the Foundation, greeted the guests. a game--or a class. After playing at teaching in the classroom. You may Westchester, he received a scholar- recall that Dr. Johnson, who was in- Two Alumni Win Julius ship to Hofstra University where he terested in genealogy, recently pub- continued his collegiate career. lished his family history. We join the Nicholas started his coaching college community in mourning his Ford Fellowships as an assistant under coach Ralph loss. This will be a diffi cult day for Arietta in 1983-1984. During his fi rst season Westchester all of us.” The Dr. Julius Ford Teaching Fellowship Program has Community College fi nished third in the nation. In the 1984- Shortly before his death, Dean Johnson , who was an been created to honor the retired Dean of Student Services 85 season the Westcos returned to the National Tourna- avid genealogist, published a book entitled Who Came Be- by promoting talented individuals from under-represented ment, in Hutchinson, Kansas. In Nicholas’ fi rst three sea- fore Me? A Story of the Search for My Tomes and Lightfoot groups in their advancement in academia. The Fellowship sons as an assistant coach the Westcos made two National Roots and What I Found. He had been gathering historical Program is an initiative aimed at diversifying the college’s Tournament appearances and national rankings in the top information on his ancestry for twenty years, and spent the faculty and is especially relevant this year as WCC cel- twenty. past three years writing the book. Readers will travel in time ebrates a “Year of Diversity”. In 1998 Nicholas became Head Coach and under his back to when masters owned slaves, sharecropping was a Alumni Juan Soria and John Watkins are among the guidance the team returned to its former championship sta- way of life, and men intent on marriage had to put up a fi rst Fellows in the program, who will serve as members of tus. Coach Nicholas was named Coach of the Year in Re- bond. The nonfi ction book shows how societal changes the adjunct faculty while receiving mentoring and training gion XV (Div. I) in 2001 and 2002 and won two Region XV impacted the personal lives of his Tomes and Lightfoot an- from current full-time faculty members. champion ships. In the 2000-2001 season the Westcos won cestors. He asked many of his friends and colleagues at the Professor Donald Whitely and Dr. Melissa Acevedo, their 14th Region XV championship and the school’s 15th college for their advice and comments as the work progressed. Co-Directors of the Ford Teaching Fellowship Program, are Region XV championship came in 2001. Dr. Johnson was doing well following a battle with pleased to announce the fi rst cohort of fellows (and fac- Donations may be made to the newly established Win- cancer and had continued to work part-time, cheerfully greet- ulty mentors) who will be participating in the fellowship ston Nicholas Book Fund for athletes. Please make checks ing visitors to his offi ce in the Science Building only days program in the Fall semester of 2009: payable to FUF 119 and forward to the Faculty Student before he died during liver transplant surgery. He was bur- George Keteku, History (mentor: Frank Fato) Association (FSA). Cash donations will also be accepted. ied on July 27 in Randallston, Maryland; a memorial service Tanae Franklin, Philosophy (mentor: Dwight Goodyear) Cards and notes of sympathy may be sent to the Nicholas was held on campus in September. Expressions of sympa- Juan Soria, Computer Science (mentors: family at 763 Hancock St., Brooklyn, NY 11233. thy may be sent to Mrs. Ann Johnson and family, 302 Ferris Robert Sciabbarrasi/Dennis Ramos) WCC ALUM Place, Peekskill, New York 10566. Dexter Gittens, Economics (mentor: Farhad Ameen) Maria Kurthy-Sanger, Sociology/Anthropology (mentors: Lori Maida/Betty Jo Stokes) Fran Regan Receives John Watkins, CIS (mentor: Mary Ann Cassidy) WCC ALUM Chancellor’s Award Nancy Lopes, English (mentor: Liz Gaffney) Valerie Mathews, English (mentor: Michael Bobkoff) Francine Sanchez Regan, ‘73 is the 2008-2009 recipient Professors Acevedo and Whitely offer their sincere of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classifi ed congratulations to the fellows, together with their heartfelt Service. The Classifi ed Service category was added this thanks to all of the faculty members participating in the year to the existing categories of Faculty Service, program. Librarianship, Professional Service, Scholarship and Cre- ative Activities, and Teaching. The awards were conferred at this year’s commencement on May 21st. May Opening Planned for Francine has been with the college since September of 1993. She is the Secretary to the Behavioral/Social Science Gateway Center Department, which is the largest department on campus with approximately 2,500 students. The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are conferred to acknowledge and provide system-wide recognition for consistently superior pro- fessional achievement and to en- courage the ongoing pur- suit of excel- lence. These programs un- derscore SUNY’s com- mitment to Westchester Community College’s long-awaited Gate- sustaining in- way Center is nearing completion and the excitement on tellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, campus is almost tangible. The blue construction fence sur- providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving rounding the 70,000 square foot, state of the art building is the public good. Through these awards, SUNY publicly pro- expected to come down by spring 2010, revealing what is claims its pride in the accomplishment and personal dedica- sure to become a jewel in the SUNY crown and a landmark tion of its instructional faculty, librarians and professional structure in the fi eld of community college education. staff across its campuses. Barring any unforeseen complications or delays, the Individuals selected for this honor are role models within ribbon-cutting ceremony has been tentatively scheduled the SUNY community. They are given recognition in the for next May, and the building is expected to be open for college catalogue by the addition of the phrase “State Uni- classes beginning in July, 2010. versity Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in …”, and also Teresita Wisell, formerly the college’s Director of Ad- receive a certifi cate and a Chancellor’s Excellence Medal- missions, has been named Associate Dean and Director of lion. Francine and the other WCC recipients were honored The Gateway Center. Tere will help prepare for the opening during this year’s commencement on May 21. Needless to of the new building in 2010 and coordinate the various resources say, Francine was thrilled with this recognition and was and programs planned for The Gateway Center. very pleased to have her family at the commencement.

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