Manhattan Monthly - August 2009

NEWS

Manhattan College and Kingsbridge Heights Community Center Announce Multiyear Collaboration

Manhattan College and the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center’s College Directions Program hosted a Summer Literacy Institute from July 9-12. It was the opening event in a multiyear collaboration between the Bronx institutions. The four-day program provided 15 selected Bronx high school juniors with intensive pre-college academic experiences both on the Manhattan campus and at the community center. It featured three dynamic, college-level discussions led by Manhattan faculty designed to introduce the students to different academic disciplines. Read. The program was featured in the July 9 issue of The Riverdale Press (Here).

ON CAMPUS

In Memoriam

Manhattan College mourns the passing of Helen Althaus. She joined Manhattan in June 1983 in the registrar’s office, where she served until her retirement in 2007. During nearly a quarter century with the College, Helen held the position of transcript clerk, as well as academic customer service and retrieval specialist. Her tireless dedication and commitment to service will long be remembered by students, faculty, alumni and staff.

FACULTY/STAFF

Physical Education Professor Participates in White House Roundtable

Shawn Ladda, associate professor of physical education and human performance, participated in a roundtable event sponsored by the newly-formed White House Office of Women and Girls on June 23. The panel, held in celebration of the 37th anniversary of Title IX legislation, featured both political and sports leaders, including Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and tennis legend Billie Jean King. Ladda currently serves as president of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS), an organization dedicated to addressing issues and promoting opportunities for all girls and women in sport. The roundtable was streamed live on the Web on the official White House site, as well as part of an innovative Facebook application that allows users to simultaneously watch the live stream and be part of an online chat about the roundtable. For more information about the NAGWS, click Here.

Faculty and Staff Accomplishments

Dr. Janet Rovenpor, professor of management and marketing, and Dr. Mary Michel, assistant professor of accounting, CIS and law, co-authored the case study “JetBlue Airways: A Cadre of New Managers Takes Control,” which was recently published in the textbook Crafting and Executing Strategy: The Quest for Competitive Advantage.

Dr. Joseph Lennon, associate professor of English, authored the cover story “The Art of the First Hunger Striker: Marion Wallace-Dunlop,” for the July 24, 2009 issue of The Times Literary Supplement. To read the article, click Here.

Dr. Nicholas De Lillo, professor of mathematics and computer science, completed the paper “Simulations of Deterministic Finite State Automata Using C++ and the Standard Template Library.” It has been accepted for publication in a forthcoming issue of the Technical Reports Series of the Ivan G. Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University and will be published in either September of October.

Dr. Bruce Liby, associate professor of physics and chair of the physics department, and Ryan Scholl ’09 authored the paper “Using a Michelson Interferometer to Measure Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Copper,” which appeared in the May 2009 issue of The Physics Teacher, a publication of the American Association of Physics Teachers. To read a short abstract, click Here.

For more faculty and staff accomplishments, click Here.

Welcome New Employees

Manhattan College welcomed three new employees in May: Jeanette Grant (education), Douglas Merino (security) and Marja Roemer (biology). For a full list of recent new employees, click Here.

Manhattan College Milestones

Congratulations to Vicki Cowan (human resources), Arlene Coughlin (college advancement) and Janet Loftus (physical plant), who celebrate their 20-year anniversaries with Manhattan College this summer. For a complete list of June, July and August anniversaries, click Here.

Block M

For questions or comments, please call
college relations at (718) 862-7232 or e-mail public_relations@manhattan.edu.

ALUMNI

Alumni Society News

Reunion Weekend

Bill Harkins '67 (pictured left) has assumed the role of president of the Manhattan College Alumni Society. Other officers include Mark Sheeran '06, vice president; Aileen Farrelly '95, recording secretary; Maria Khury '77, corresponding secretary; and George Skau '59, Ph.D., immediate past president. Upcoming meetings of the alumni society will take place on the following Saturdays: Sept. 19, Nov. 14, March 6, and May 1. Whether your interest is to volunteer for our Alumni Society, become active or start a regional chaper in your area, your help is always appreciated. Please contact the alumni relations office by phone at (718) 862-7431 or e-mail alumni@manhattan.edu.

Upcoming Alumni Events

For information on our upcoming events for alumni and their friends, including the Monmouth Day at the Races, Komen Race for the Cure, socials at McFadden’s, our alumni Men’s Retreat and more, click Here.

Jaspers Helping Jaspers

In anticipation of the Oct. 21 Career Fair held in Draddy Gymnasium from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m., we ask that all alumni in a position to represent their company contact the alumni office at alumni@manhattan.edu or (718) 862-7431. We also encourage alumni to list openings and view job postings through our affiliate NACElink. The Career Fair serves not only as a chance to meet with perspective employers but also as a terrific networking opportunity to reconnect with other Manhattan College alumni.

Contact Your Alumni Office

If you have moved recently, have changed jobs or positions, or have any other new information to share, please remember to contact the College's office of alumni relations:

Ellen Kiernan, director
ellen.kiernan@manhattan.edu
(718) 862-7977

Thomas McCarthy, assistant director
thomas.mccarthy@manhattan.edu
(718) 862-7454

Grace Feeney, officer
grace.feeney@manhattan.edu
(718) 862-7432

For questions or comments, please call
college relations at (718) 862-7232 or e-mail college_relations@manhattan.edu.

CALENDAR

August 2009
03 Construction Industry Golf Tournament
15 Feast of the Assumption
27-28 Freshman Orientation
31 First day of classes.

View College Calendars

SPORTS

Men’s Basketball Coach Joins Colleagues for Goodwill Mission

Softball

Men’s basketball head coach Barry Rohrssen traveled to the Persian Gulf Region for nine days in June as part of Operation Hoop Talk, a goodwill initiative sponsored by the United Service Organizations (USO). Read. Operation Hoop Talk is a similar mission as the Operation Hardwood Tour, which Rohrssen participated in the previous summer. Its goal is to boost the moral and bring a touch of home to those serving in the Middle East. Articles on this year’s mission appeared in the New York Post (Here) and the Charlottesville Daily Progress (Here).

Manhattan Places 104 Student-Athletes on MAAC Honor Roll

Manhattan College placed a total of 104 student-athletes on the 2008-09 MAAC Academic Honor Roll, as announced on July 21. The women’s track & field team was Manhattan’s most honored squad, securing 20 selections. To be eligibltane for the Academic Honor Roll, student-athletes must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher and have completed at least two years of athletic eligibility. Manhattan was one of four MAAC schools to place more than 100 student-athletes on the Academic Honor Roll. Read.


NEWS Manhattan College and Kingsbridge Heights Community Center Announce Multiyear Collaboration Manhattan College and the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center’s College Directions Program hosted a Summer Literacy Institute from July 9-12. It was the opening event in a multiyear collaboration between the Bronx institutions. The four-day program provided 15 selected Bronx high school juniors with intensive pre-college academic experiences both on the Manhattan campus and at the community center. It featured three dynamic, college-level discussions led by Manhattan faculty designed to introduce the students to different academic disciplines. Read. The program was featured in the July 9 issue of The Riverdale Press (Here). ON CAMPUS In Memoriam Manhattan College mourns the passing of Helen Althaus. She joined Manhattan in June 1983 in the registrar’s office, where she served until her retirement in 2007. During nearly a quarter century with the College, Helen held the position of transcript clerk, as well as academic customer service and retrieval specialist. Her tireless dedication and commitment to service will long be remembered by students, faculty, alumni and staff. FACULTY/STAFF Physical Education Professor Participates in White House Roundtable Shawn Ladda, associate professor of physical education and human performance, participated in a roundtable event sponsored by the newly-formed White House Office of Women and Girls on June 23. The panel, held in celebration of the 37th anniversary of Title IX legislation, featured both political and sports leaders, including Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and tennis legend Billie Jean King. Ladda currently serves as president of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS), an organization dedicated to addressing issues and promoting opportunities for all girls and women in sport. The roundtable was streamed live on the Web on the official White House site, as well as part of an innovative Facebook application that allows users to simultaneously watch the live stream and be part of an online chat about the roundtable. For more information about the NAGWS, click Here. Faculty and Staff Accomplishments Dr. Janet Rovenpor, professor of management and marketing, and Dr. Mary Michel, assistant professor of accounting, CIS and law, co-authored the case study “JetBlue Airways: A Cadre of New Managers Takes Control,” which was recently published in the textbook Crafting and Executing Strategy: The Quest for Competitive Advantage. Dr. Joseph Lennon, associate professor of English, authored the cover story “The Art of the First Hunger Striker: Marion Wallace-Dunlop,” for the July 24, 2009 issue of The Times Literary Supplement. To read the article, click Here. Dr. Nicholas De Lillo, professor of mathematics and computer science, completed the paper “Simulations of Deterministic Finite State Automata Using C++ and the Standard Template Library.” It has been accepted for publication in a forthcoming issue of the Technical Reports Series of the Ivan G. Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University and will be published in either September of October. Dr. Bruce Liby, associate professor of physics and chair of the physics department, and Ryan Scholl ’09 authored the paper “Using a Michelson Interferometer to Measure Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Copper,” which appeared in the May 2009 issue of The Physics Teacher, a publication of the American Association of Physics Teachers. To read a short abstract, click Here. For more faculty and staff accomplishments, click Here. Welcome New Employees Manhattan College welcomed three new employees in May: Jeanette Grant (education), Douglas Merino (security) and Marja Roemer (biology). For a full list of recent new employees, click Here. Manhattan College Milestones Congratulations to Vicki Cowan (human resources), Arlene Coughlin (college advancement) and Janet Loftus (physical plant), who celebrate their 20-year anniversaries with Manhattan College this summer. For a complete list of June, July and August anniversaries, click Here. For questions or comments, please call college relations at (718) 862-7232 or e-mail public_relations@manhattan.edu.		ALUMNI Alumni Society News Bill Harkins '67 (pictured left) has assumed the role of president of the Manhattan College Alumni Society. Other officers include Mark Sheeran '06, vice president; Aileen Farrelly '95, recording secretary; Maria Khury '77, corresponding secretary; and George Skau '59, Ph.D., immediate past president. Upcoming meetings of the alumni society will take place on the following Saturdays: Sept. 19, Nov. 14, March 6, and May 1. Whether your interest is to volunteer for our Alumni Society, become active or start a regional chaper in your area, your help is always appreciated. Please contact the alumni relations office by phone at (718) 862-7431 or e-mail alumni@manhattan.edu. Upcoming Alumni Events For information on our upcoming events for alumni and their friends, including the Monmouth Day at the Races, Komen Race for the Cure, socials at McFadden’s, our alumni Men’s Retreat and more, click Here. Jaspers Helping Jaspers In anticipation of the Oct. 21 Career Fair held in Draddy Gymnasium from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m., we ask that all alumni in a position to represent their company contact the alumni office at alumni@manhattan.edu or (718) 862-7431. We also encourage alumni to list openings and view job postings through our affiliate NACElink. The Career Fair serves not only as a chance to meet with perspective employers but also as a terrific networking opportunity to reconnect with other Manhattan College alumni. Contact Your Alumni Office If you have moved recently, have changed jobs or positions, or have any other new information to share, please remember to contact the College's office of alumni relations: Ellen Kiernan, director ellen.kiernan@manhattan.edu (718) 862-7977 Thomas McCarthy, assistant director thomas.mccarthy@manhattan.edu (718) 862-7454 Grace Feeney, officer grace.feeney@manhattan.edu (718) 862-7432 For questions or comments, please call college relations at (718) 862-7232 or e-mail college_relations@manhattan.edu. CALENDAR August 2009 03 Construction Industry Golf Tournament 15 Feast of the Assumption 27-28 Freshman Orientation 31 First day of classes. View College Calendars SPORTS Men’s Basketball Coach Joins Colleagues for Goodwill Mission Men’s basketball head coach Barry Rohrssen traveled to the Persian Gulf Region for nine days in June as part of Operation Hoop Talk, a goodwill initiative sponsored by the United Service Organizations (USO). Read. Operation Hoop Talk is a similar mission as the Operation Hardwood Tour, which Rohrssen participated in the previous summer. Its goal is to boost the moral and bring a touch of home to those serving in the Middle East. Articles on this year’s mission appeared in the New York Post (Here) and the Charlottesville Daily Progress (Here). Manhattan Places 104 Student-Athletes on MAAC Honor Roll Manhattan College placed a total of 104 student-athletes on the 2008-09 MAAC Academic Honor Roll, as announced on July 21. The women’s track & field team was Manhattan’s most honored squad, securing 20 selections. To be eligibltane for the Academic Honor Roll, student-athletes must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher and have completed at least two years of athletic eligibility. Manhattan was one of four MAAC schools to place more than 100 student-athletes on the Academic Honor Roll. Read.