Summer 2011 - Nassau Community College

nexusYour College ConnectionThe Official Newsletter ofNassau Community CollegeNew Student Orientation at NCC covers alot of ground, literally and figuratively.Literally, one important part of orientationis familiarizing incoming students with Nassau’scampus—all 48 buildings and 225 acres of it.Students participate in a walking tour of campusled by New Student Orientation leaders (about 50,who go through an extensive two-day training periodahead of time) who also are called upon during theyear to give tours to prospective students and parents.During the tour, students are shown classroombuildings and other significant campus facilities.Figuratively, New Student Orientation atNassau is a “how to” guide about being a successfulNCC student. Staff members from many walksof College life, including Career and EducationalCounseling, Student Activities, Health Services andPublic Safety, tell students about their services.Parents of incoming students are invited to an“orientation” session with an NCC counselor and theCollege president in late August. They also receivea “Parents Guide” with helpful tips about the needsand changing lives of young adult college students.New Student Orientation is organized by the Student Personnel ServicesDepartment’s Office of Student Activities. “New Student Orientation is awonderful way to begin your college career. AllNCC students should take advantage of it,” saidProf. Phyllis Kurland, Coordinator of StudentActivities. “Friendships are developed, even amongstudent leaders.” Prof. Richard Conway of StudentActivities agrees. “Orientation introduces studentsto the promise and possibilities of College. It alsohelps students become acquainted with the campus,especially with those resources that will be of importance to them in their firstyear and beyond,” he remarked. Student Activities faculty estimate that tens ofthousands of students have participated in orientation over the years.Orientation takes place over the entire summer, in small groups ofWhere Success Starts...and Continues • Summer 2011 • www.ncc.edustate university of new yorkIT ALL STARTS AT ORIENTATIONNew Student Orientation Gives Nassau Students a Head Start on College Lifein this issueNew Student Orientation student leaders.students each time. All incoming students receive a letter inviting them toone of these sessions. During orientation, they are given snacks and a studentwelcome bag. Studentswho take part in NewStudent Orientation meettheir fellow classmates,smoothing their transitioninto College life. Many ofthese students ultimatelybecome lifelong friends.“I remember my own experience before I cameto the College. It was kind of scary, startingat a new school . . . Orientation makes thetransition much better.”Luis Miguel Abreu, Student LeaderStudent orientation leaders who participate in New Student Orientationenjoy the experience and would definitely recommend it to other students.“I remember my own experience before I came to the College,” said LuisMiguel Abreu, a second year student. “It was kind of scary, starting at a newcontinued on page 3New Nassau Community CollegeWebsite Wins Gold Award – Page 3Nassau Community College 2011Graduation – Page 4The Arts at Nassau Community College– Page 7

NASSAUCOMMUNITYCOLLEGEA PLACE THAT WILL,MORE THAN LIKELY,EXCEED YOUREXPECTATIONSby Leah Winfield, NCC Class of 2011Nassau Community College has beengiving the young and the old opportunitiesfor over 50 years. Yet the commonmisconception of the College being “13 th Grade”is embedded in the opinions of most of the youthin Nassau County and on Long Island, period. Ipersonally find that belief ignorant. From my ownexperience, I know this not to be the truth and Ialways to advocate the contrary.I find it bothersome when I hear peopletalk badly about Nassau, as if only those of lowintelligence and standards attend this institution.I feel that I show that is not the case. I graduatedfrom high school in 2009—an entire year early—and was accepted to Rutgers University, yet I optedfor Nassau. Why? Well, when I tell most peoplewhy they’re baffled, but for me, it was never a harddecision to make.I always found Nassau to be the best placeto get started, especially when you’re not exactlysure what you want to do with your life. Gettinga liberal arts degree from Nassau allowed me theopportunity to explore all the fields that interestedme and gave me a better understanding of whatI want to do as a future career. I will never ceaserecommending Nassau to people looking tocontinue their education beyond high school. Itreally opens doors for you.In the fall of 2009, my first semester atNassau, I joined the student newspaper Vignettewith an aspiration to pursue a career in journalism.I became the copy editor not too long after and,for the 2010-2011 school year, took on the title ofmanaging editor. It is my personal belief that theindividual makes the best out of every situationthey experience and that is certainly what I feel Idid. If it had not been for my involvement in extracurricularactivities at Nassau, for example, I wouldnever have had the full college experience. All inall, I met wonderful people at NCC, learned fromamazing professors and formed friendships thatwill hopefully last a lifetime. Nassau CommunityCollege acclimated me to the college environmentand, most importantly, it made me a well-roundedperson.Both my parents attended NassauCommunity College when they were in their midthirties.I attribute my bright outlook about Nassauto them, because they are prime examples of theproducts that NCC polishes and sends on to the restof their lives (both of them are doing very well). Myparents summarized their experience at NCC manytimes to me by saying that “it had to have been thebest thing to ever happen to [them].” Truthfully,now I think I can say the same for myself.“All in all, I met wonderful people at NCC,learned from amazing professors and formedfriendships that will hopefully last a lifetime.”Leah Winfield, who graduated on the Dean’sList and as a member of the Phi Theta KappaNational Honor Society, will be attending StonyBrook University in the fall as a journalism major.A former student orientation leader, Leah was alsoa winner of the Who’s Who and Student Activitiesawards. She is the third generation of her family toattend Nassau Community College.2 Nassau Community College - Nexus Summer 2011

2011 Graduate HighlightsLoretta QuinnGoing to Nassau CommunityCollege was a wonderful experiencefor me. I made many new friends.Loretta, who was activein Nassau’s Theatre and Danceprogram, plans to go to Stony Brookin the fall.Nicholas SicilianoMy professors couldn’t have been morehelpful. Nassau is a wonderful school.Nicholas, who is interested inEnglish and writing, will continue on toC.W. Post next year.Ingrid JasmineNCC has a great learningenvironment. I felt freeto explore any course thatinterested me.In the fall, Ingridwill be attending York Collegeto study nursing.Jim CaponeI went to Nassau because itoffered a quality education at anaffordable price. What’s more,my classes were incredible.Jim, a returningstudent, was an interior designmajor. He hopes to transfer to afour-year school.Lisa Marie PryorI returned to school because I lovelearning. I found my time at NCCto be very enlightening.Lisa, who was presidentof the evening chapter of PhiTheta Kappa, hopes to attendHofstra this fall.Meredith BoguslawI loved NCC. My professors weregreat and I’m so glad that I gotinvolved in campus life.Meredith is going toC.W. Post in the fall to study earlychildhood education.Gina DudleyGoing to Nassau was the bestexperience of my life. I’drecommend it to anyone.A SUNY Chancellor’sAward recipient, Gina took socialwork courses and was involvedin the Interact club. In the fallshe will continue her social workstudies at Adelphi.Summer 2011 Nassau Community College - Nexus 5

Dr. RobertCostelloNamed FulbrightScholarDr. Robert Costello, Chair of the Nassau CommunityCollege Department of Criminal Justice.Dr. Robert Costello, chair of the CriminalJustice Department, has been granted aFulbright Senior Specialist Award by the U.S.Department of State and the J. William FulbrightForeign Scholarship Board. He has also beeninvited by the Faculty of Law at the University ofMalta to visit for a six-week period in the Fall of2011. As a Fulbright Senior Specialist, Dr. Costellowill present lectures to undergraduate and graduatelaw students on the administration of justice inthe United States. In addition, he will review thecurriculum for the undergraduate program as wellas facilitate workshops with faculty members. Inhis work, Dr. Costello examines the criminal justicesystem with publications in law reviews, justiceand criminology journals and national periodicalsof the American Bar Association.Dr. Costello’s prior appointments includethe Institute of Criminology at the University ofCambridge; the Center for Children, Familiesand the Law at Hofstra University School ofLaw; and Columbia University’s Faculty SeminarSeries. Nassau Community College bestowedupon him the Dean of Instruction award in 2003and the Academic Affairs Award for OutstandingAchievement in 2011. Dr. Costello achieved hisdoctoral degree in Educational Administrationfrom Dowling College, his Juris Doctor degreeand a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justicefrom SUNY Albany and his Bachelor’s degree inSocial Sciences from Hofstra University. He holdsadjunct faculty status at Hofstra and St. John’sUniversities where he teaches in their Criminology& Justice graduate programs. A faculty member atNCC since 1999, Dr. Costello became chairpersonof the Criminal Justice in 2004.Nine Nassau Community College Faculty Members Receivethe State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for ExcellenceThe Chancellor’s Award forExcellence was presented to nineNassau Community College facultyand staff members at a ceremony heldin March. This prestigious awardprovides statewide recognitionfor superlative performanceand outstanding professionalachievement. Chancellor’s Awardrecipients are professionalswho have repeatedly soughtimprovements in themselves,their campus and ultimately thestate university system. Theseindividuals serve as professionalrole models for a university systemin the pursuit of excellence.The Chancellor’s Awardsprogram was created 37 years ago to honor thedistinguished performance of SUNY’s teachingfaculty, librarians and members of the professionalservice. “The committee is constantly amazed byProf. Lisa Bastiaans, Physical Sciences, was an instructor forthe SUNY Oswego Storm Forecasting and Observation Program.In this three-week course, one hundred research scientists andstudents, 10 mobile Doppler radars and 40 vehicles with weatherinstruments on the roof observed the atmosphere and chased tornadosacross the Great Plains. Information gathered in this wayis used by computer modelers to understand more about tornados.Chuck Cutolo Esq., Director of Governmental Affairs, was theguest speaker at the Port Jefferson Historical Society’s annual dinner.His topic was “The Constitution and Members of Congress—Lethal Brew Or Good For What Ails ’Ya: An Insider’s View.”Jennifer Drucker, Marketing and Communications, Creativeand Interactive Services, recently had an article published inCollege Community Times’ Special Technology section. Thearticle, “Saving Green, Going Green,” was about the creation ofNCC’s new online catalog.Dr. Dolores “Curly” Faber, Prof. Emerita, Health, PhysicalEducation and Recreation, was the recipient of the Pathfinderaward by the New York State Association for Health, PhysicalEducation, Recreation and Dance. The Pathfinder award wasestablished to provide national recognition to women who havedemonstrated continuous dedication to the advocacy, recruitmentand enhancement of girls and women in sport. Dr. Faber was atwo sport coach and one of the first women in the country to bean Athletic Director.Dr. Janet Farrell L’Eontiou, Communications, wrote a bookentitled What Do the Doctors Say?, which provides stories fromher experience as a mother. As a communications professional,Dr. Farrell L’Eontiou identified 12 language patterns that are usedto create medical culture.Dr. Lorraine Findlay, Allied Health Sciences, has been reappointedas a member of the Public and Scientific Affairs Boardof the American Association for Microbiology, which has over100,000 members. The 12-member board makes recommendationsconcerning microbiological issues impacting the public tovarious government agencies.Mary Floratos, Marketing and Communications, Creativeand Interactive Services, was a speaker at the Omni Update Usersconference in Los Angeles, which focused on technology andcommunity colleges. She also appeared in a video detailing thecreation of the College’s website.Standing (L to R): Prof. Glenn Williams, Physical Sciences; Prof. RobertLazaroff, English; Dr. Donald Astrab, President; Dr. Jack Lubowsky, Math,Computer Science, Information Technology; Dr. Marynita Anderson, History,Political Science, Geography. Seated (L to R): Prof. Thomas Emmerson IV,Art; Nina Hotvedt, Academic Senate; Dr. Jeanne Golan, Music; Dr. CarolineOlko, Psychology. Not pictured: Dr. Yih-Jin Young, Sociology.Faculty/Staff Highlightsthe creative, innovative work our colleagues exhibit.We truly have an exceptional faculty and staff,”said Professor Deborah Tyler, Chair of the NCCChancellor’s Award Selection Committee.Prof. Frank Frisenda, Engineering/Physics/Technology, wasnamed Higher Education Member of the Year by NYSUT, NewYork State United Teachers. Prof Frisenda has been an activistand member of the Nassau Community College Federation ofTeachers for 26 years. He also helped organize Long Island business,labor and education leaders to discuss and explore the roleNCC can play to prepare people for the challenges of the future.Prof. Jack Mandel, Marketing and Retailing, was listed in andarticle in South Bay’s Newspaper. The article spoke about Townof Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto’s appearance as Professorfor a Day in Prof. Mandel’s class. Supervisor Venditto’s lecturewas on An Insider’s Look Into Nassau County Politics.Prof. Deborah O’Brien-Smith, Reading and Basic Education,published the article “Classroom Management: Techniques thatWork” in IDIOM, the professional publication of NYS Teachers ofEnglish to Speakers of Other Languages (NYS TESOL). She alsopresented at a workshop on that topic at the NYS TESOL conference,Forty Years and Forward, held in Albany.Prof. Gary Ostertag, Philosophy, has for the second consecutiveyear been appointed Visiting Professor at the City University ofNew York Graduate Center.Prof. Emerita and Adjunct Librarian Florence Scarinci wasawarded the Muse Medallion by the Cat Writers Association forher article on feline animal assisted therapy “Pet Therapy—NotJust for Golden Retrievers Anymore.” Her article entitled “DogLaw 101,” which appeared in the summer issue of the MayflowerCorgi Cryer has been nominated for a Maxwell Award by the DogWriters Association of America.Dr. Scott Walden, Philosophy, has had the article “Photographyand Knowledge” accepted for publication in the Journal ofAesthetics and Art Criticism.Prof. Sharyne Wolfe, Marketing/Retailing/Fashion, publishedThe Fashionista’s Shopping Guide to the Galaxy of Discount NewYork Fashion, which covers off-the-beaten-path fashion resources,including thrift shops and wholesalers, as well as locations of bignamediscounters. The book was featured in an article in a recentissue of Aspire magazine.Aurora Workman, Human Resources, graduated from theOffice of Emergency Management’s Community EmergencyResponse Training program. The program, which met for eightweeks, took place at C.W. Post.6 Nassau Community College - Nexus Summer 2011

The Arts at Nassau Community CollegeThe fine and performing arts were alive and well atNassau Community College during the 2010-2011school year. From drama and comedy to photo andart exhibits, the College brimmed with artistic activity.Each year, the NCC Theatre and Dance Departmentproduces a major musical, a children’s musical, a jointproduction with the Africana Studies Department, a danceconcert and a wide variety of dramas and comedies. Thisyear began with the children’s musical Frog and Toad, basedon the popular children’s books written by Arnold Lobel.Young and old alike enjoyed the exploits of a friendly frogand his serious toad friend. Gross Indecency: The ThreeTrials of Oscar Wilde struck a more serious note, chroniclingthe artist’s incendiary real-world trial for “gross indecency”stemming from his homosexual lifestyle. In December,theatre students staged Bus Stop, which was famously madeinto a movie starring Marilyn Monroe.During the spring semester, the Theatre and DanceDepartment produced The ’Wreckin Ball, co-sponsoredby the Africana Studies Department. The ’Wreckin Ballexplored the changes one family in particular—and aNCC Theatre and Dance students strike a pose in costume for the spring musicalCabaret.Sarah, 2006, Stephen Shames, from the Transforming Lives exhibit at the NCCFirehouse Art Gallery.community in general—endure when their inner-city neighborhood is slated forurban renewal. The exciting Cabaret was this spring’s musical. This criticallyacclaimed,groundbreaking revival vividly portrayed the anti-Semitism andrepression that marked the rise of the Third Reich. Cabaret is a Tony awardwinningplay, a version of which was later made into an Oscar award-winningmovie. In April, the NCC Spring Dance Concert featured original moderndance pieces choreographed by Prof. Stanley Berke. Doubt was the drama thatclosed the academic year. It was about a devout and uncompromising nun whofaces off against the charismatic Father Flynn, whom she suspects of sexualmisconduct with an altar boy.The Firehouse Art Gallery is equally busy each academic year, with worksby students and faculty as well as important local, national and internationalartists. Even before the school year started the gallery began hosting the 2010Annual Open Competition, in which local artists are invited to submit worksto be judged. Next came Doing Good Works, which reflected the charities andissues in which the exhibitors were involved. Doing Good Works was a NassauCommunity College faculty exhibit. Accelerate, the Firehouse Gallery’s nextshow, featured emerging artists aged 16 through 25 who were asked to exhibit apiece that spoke to accelerating their desire to create.The spring semester brought to the campus the exhibit Transforming Lives,which ran January through March. Transforming Lives featured photographs ofUganda’s youth taken by artist and activist Stephen Shames. This experience—especially a friendship Shames formed with the youngest of the children of awoman who passed away—prompted him to develop L.E.A.D. Uganda, anon-profit program that collects donations to educate vulnerable children inthat country. Each spring, the Firehouse Gallery also holds a competition andexhibition of works by students from the NCC Art Department. The juriedcompetition includes painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, graphic designsand mixed media work.Summer 2011 Nassau Community College - Nexus 7