News

Manhattan College Receives High Return on Investment From Graduates

In a survey released by Bloomberg Businessweek/PayScale.com on April 7, Manhattan College placed 13th out of 50 colleges and universities in the Fifty Affordable Colleges With the Best Return on Investment category. The survey revealed findings that 50 leading colleges and universities, including Manhattan College, delivered a 30-year net return on investment (ROI) greater than $1 million for graduates.

The complete Bloomberg Businessweek/PayScale.com survey analyzed 693 schools’ ROI, and Manhattan College ranked 30th overall. This year’s survey calculated the cost of a degree at each school and integrated the average financial aid grant award, which improved the ROI for various schools because last year’s survey only analyzed a school’s total cost. In the 2010 survey, Manhattan College ranked 37th out of 554 schools.

Read the press release »


President O’Donnell Elected to CICU Board

Brennan O’DonnellThe Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) officially announced the election of Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., president of Manhattan College, to CICU’s 2011-2012 board of trustees on April 22. O’Donnell was also appointed to serve on the finance and administrative committee of CICU’s board. CICU’s board of trustees represents executive-level participation from colleges and universities in every region of New York State and highlights the diversity of institution type and size within New York State’s independent sector of higher education.

“We are pleased that Dr. Brennan O’Donnell, president of Manhattan College, was elected to serve on the CICU board of trustees,” said Laura L. Anglin, president of CICU. “Our Board of Trustees is a committed and esteemed group of New York State independent college and university presidents, and we look forward to Dr. O’Donnell’s participation and insight.”

Pictured above: President O’Donnell

Read the press release »


Manhattan College Enhances Adult Education Program

With more than 40 years of experience in adult education programs, Manhattan College recently announced that its division of continuing studies, which focuses on adult education, is being transformed into the school of continuing and professional studies effective July 1, 2011. The newly named school will continue to serve as the key educational resource for adult students but also expand course offerings and programs, including a master’s degree program set to launch in 2012 and much more.

In addition, Cheryl Harrison, Ph.D., has been named the new executive director of the school of continuing and professional studies and will oversee the development of the school and its future success.

Read the press release »


Manhattan College Business Students Assist Bronx Residents With Free Tax Preparation Services

Manhattan College business students teamed up with the University Neighborhood Housing Program, Fordham Bedford Children’s Services (UNHP/FBCS) and Ariva, Inc., for the second year in a row to provide free tax preparation services at the Refuge House in Fordham Bedford as part of the IRS VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program.

“The VITA program has provided a great opportunity for students to help those who are less fortunate, while also offering a valuable experience in the tax field,” said Evan Wheeler, a junior accounting major at Manhattan.

Read the press release »


Commencement Ceremonies to Honor Novelist and Structural Engineer

On Sunday, May 22 at 1:00 p.m. in Draddy Gymnasium, Manhattan College will present William Kennedy, a novelist, with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Manhattan College’s 169th Commencement. Kennedy will also deliver the keynote address.

Manhattan College’s Spring Commencement for graduate and adult degree completion students will occur on Saturday, May 21 at 3:00 p.m. in Draddy Gymnasium. The decision was reached to change the graduation ceremony to May 21 to accommodate additional seating with a change in venue, and moving the ceremony to the weekend will better facilitate family traveling to the event.

George J. Tamaro ’59, a structural engineer, will deliver the keynote address at the Spring Commencement and receive an honorary Doctor of Engineering.

Read the press release on William Kennedy »
Read the press release on George Tamaro »


Chemical Engineering Students Demonstrate Water Purification System for Underdeveloped CountriesSAFE

Nine chemical engineering students at Manhattan College developed a water filtration system and demonstrated the effectiveness of the Sustainable Aqua Filtration Equipment (SAFE) project on March 25 to Peter Kimeu, regional technical director for partnership, solidarity and justice for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in East Africa.

Michael Sullivan, a junior chemical engineering major, first presented the SAFE project in January to Kimeu during a Lasallian Outreach Volunteer Experience (L.O.V.E.) trip to Kenya.

“When I saw this technology presented in Kenya by Michael I wanted it, and now after seeing the demonstration at Manhattan, I want it even more back home,” said Kimeu.

Pictured above from left to right: Michael Sullivan, Justin Sierpinski, Karen Tschinkel, Gennaro Maffia, Peter Kimeu, Sister Arlene Flaherty, AnnMarie Montalto, Alex Bertuccio, David Moretti, Natalie Lapp and Ann Marie Flynn.

Read the article »


Jeff Horn Discusses Expansion of Holocaust Resource Center at the Annual Legislative Awards and Breakfast

Jeff Horn, Ph.D., professor and chair of the history department and director of the Holocaust Resource Center, received the Martin Rollins Interfaith Brotherhood Award on April 3 at the 27th Annual Legislative Awards and Breakfast. The event is sponsored yearly by the Riverdale Jewish Community Relations Council and honors those, like Horn, who have made a difference in Riverdale and around the world.

“To teach the Holocaust and genocide and to engage the community about these subjects is a daunting task,” said Horn as he spoke after accepting the award. “My classes discuss hatred and killing, and we focus on the ideas and policies that gave rise to those deaths, along with the actions, inactions and reactions of perpetrators, bystanders and victims.

“But we must do more,” added Horn. “I believe that the Holocaust is a unique event and my students learn that perspective when I teach about the Shoah, but after Cambodia, East Timor, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, the dream of never again has become a nightmare of complacency, as regimes, parties and groups across the globe seek to imitate the Nazi message of hatred, superiority and intolerance.”

Horn went on to discuss how the Holocaust Resource Center is expanding its focus to encompass broader issues related to genocide, as well as interfaith dialogue among Jews, Christians and Muslims. As part of the expansion, Mehnaz Afridi, Ph.D., will join Manhattan College in August and serve as the new director, while staying committed to the Center’s long-standing mission to educate the public and College community about the Holocaust and genocide.

“I am confident that I am leaving the Center in good hands, Dr. Afridi is much more a scholar of the Shoah than I am, and she’ll be ably supported by the assistant directors and the consultors board, including Frederick Schweitzer and myself,” closed Horn. “As a group, we will ensure that the Shoah remains the beating heart of our activities.”


Alumna Attends Science Seminar on the Impacts of Oil Spills

Caitlin Reilly ’05, an extension associate for Louisiana State University AgCenter, recently attended the Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill science seminar in Cocodrie, La., to explore the Gulf of Mexico oil spill one year after. Along with Reilly, 22 scientists, journalists and informal science educators participated in 2.5 days of lectures, interactive discussions and a field trip on the LUMCON research vessel Acadiana, and gained further insight on the oil spill.

Reilly currently works on the AgCenter’s Oil Spill Response and Recover Taskforce, and does wetland education and restoration projects in coastal Louisiana.

On Campus

Spring Career Fair Attracts More Than 50 Companies

career fair

On April 13, nearly 180 students visited Manhattan College’s annual spring career fair for the opportunity to meet and network with one of the 53 attending companies specializing in engineering, insurance, military, communications and much more. 

 

Pictured above from left to right: senior business majors: Stephen Russo, Peter Monacchio and Joseph Apuzzo


Attend the Manhattan College Jazz Band Concert on May 3

The Manhattan College Jazz Band will host a Chocolate Jazz concert on Tuesday, May 3 in Plato’s Cave with doors opening at 7 p.m. The Jazz Band will feature music from an assortment of styles including Latin, Bebop and pop hits, and refreshments will be served.


Manhattan Celebrates St. John Baptist de La Salle on Founder’s Day

In honor of the life, work and legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of educators and founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Manhattan College celebrated Founder’s Day on April 6 and 7. The celebration started with an ice cream social on April 6 in the Quad, and the Air Force ROTC performed a presentation of flags and The Star Spangled Banner was sung to pay tribute to armed services and veterans from the Manhattan community.

View photos from the event »


Manhattan College Collects Donations for Japanese Victims at Spring Concert

On March 27, the Manhattan College Singers and Orchestra presented its annual spring concert and remembered the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan by collecting more than $500 for relief efforts.

In honor of the Japanese victims, the musical group performed Japan’s national anthem Kimigayo.

See the video clip »


Alumni

Alumnus Presents Dr. O’Donnell With ExxonMobil Annual Gift

Bruce Macklin and President O'DonnellBruce G. Macklin ’74, senior vice president of global operations for ExxonMobil, presented Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., president of Manhattan College, with a generous gift from the company on April 26. The check donation is made yearly by ExxonMobil.

 

Pictured above from left to right: Bruce Macklin and President O'Donnell


Alumni Society General Meeting on May 7

On Saturday, May 7, Manhattan College will elect alumni society officers at the general meeting, and all alumni are welcome to attend in the Charter Room at 9:00 a.m.


Jasper Open Golf Tournament

James PattersonManhattan College will be hosting its 23rd annual Jasper Open on Tuesday, May 17 at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, N.Y. Due to an overwhelming response, there is no longer space available for golfers. A variety of non-golf sponsorship opportunities are still available and guests may also register to attend the evening’s dinner reception ($150 per person) featuring special guest, best-selling author James Patterson ’69.

Pictured right: James Patterson

 


Update on Reunion Weekend 2011

Time is running out! Register now for Reunion Weekend 2011, which will be held Friday, June 3 – Sunday, June 5. Manhattan College welcomes home alumni who return to campus to celebrate the 142nd alumni reunion weekend.

A few highlights of reunion weekend include: a 50th anniversary cruise, along with special celebration receptions for the classes of 1986 (25th anniversary), 1971 (40th anniversary) and 1961 (50th anniversary), as well as for our young alumni.

For more information on how you can be a part of your class’ organizing committee, please call the alumni relations office (718) 862-7977 or e-mail alumni@manhattan.edu.


Join the Class of 1986’s Reunion Facebook Page and Attend the June 3 Dinner Dance

Alumni from the class of 1986 recently established the Manhattan College Class of 1986 Reunion Facebook group to find fellow classmates and promote the reunion dinner dance on June 3 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. in Smith Auditorium. The event will feature an entire evening of dance music from the 1980s as alumni party like it’s 1999 with music by legendary artists including: U2, Madonna, Prince, Duran Duran and Michael Jackson (plus all those ’80s one-hit wonders). Don’t miss out on a night of fun and friends, and dancing to all of the music from back in the day at the Greenleaf and the Pinewood.

Please feel free to invite fellow classmates and friends of the class of 1986 graduates to join the Manhattan College class of 1986 Reunion Facebook group page, and spread the word about the upcoming 25th anniversary reunion, which is open to graduates and their friends.

Join the Facebook page 

*In addition, many alumni are planning to meet before the dinner dance from 3 to 6 p.m. in Plato’s Cave at the Jasper’s Tavern event.


Calling All Jaspers Celebrating 50 Years Since Graduation

The Fabulous Fifties (Grey Jaspers), the newest alumni group at Manhattan College, celebrating 50 years since graduation or more, are welcoming new members to join them at the golden anniversary brunch during reunion weekend on June 4 at 11 a.m.

If you’re interested in attending, pleas send an e-mail to Jim Brown’s attention at alumni@manhattan.edu or call Ellie Calabro at (718) 862-7432.


UPCOMING SUMMER ALUMNI EVENTS


Jersey Shore Luncheon on July 22

Alumni and friends living at or visiting the Jersey Shore are invited to attend the annual Jersey Shore luncheon on Friday, July 22 at 12:00 p.m. The luncheon is hosted by Bill Harkins ’67 at the Spring Lake Manor (415 Route 71, Spring Lake, N.J.,). The cost per person is $30 and includes a sit-down lunch and complimentary cocktail. Stay tuned for upcoming information on a speaker.

Register for this event »


Construction Industry Golf Outing on July 25

In honor of the Joseph E. Etten ’57 Civil Engineering Memorial Scholarship Fund, the construction industry annual golf tournament will occur on Monday, July 25 at the Westchester Hills Country Club (401 Ridgeway, White Plains, N.Y.) with check in starting at 10 a.m. Manhattan College Alumni Society sponsors the event, and this year marks the golf outing’s 14th anniversary.

Register for this event »
Download event brochure »


Saratoga Day at the Races on July 29

The Manhattan College Alumni Society and the Capital District Alumni Club invite alumni to a day at the races and reception on Friday, July 29 starting at 1:30 p.m. with cocktails. The cost is $120 per person and this includes admission to the track, program, buffet lunch at 2:30 p.m., and an evening reception at 7:00 p.m. at the Inn at Saratoga.

Reservations must be made in advance and be completed online.

Register for this event »


Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival on Aug. 11

Manhattan College is offering its alumni the unique chance to experience Shakespeare at his finest at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s production of Hamlet on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.

The $35 ticket includes admission to the performance and a picnic of wine, cheese and sandwiches on the beautiful grounds of Boscobel in Garrison, N.Y., overlooking the Hudson River and West Point. We encourage you to bring your own picnicking items as well, and the park opens at 5 p.m.

*A limited number of tickets are available.

Register for this event »


Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations

Did you know that anyone can nominate a Manhattan athlete for the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame? Each year, we seek to induct a broad representation of qualified candidates. We recommend detailed attention when collecting and presenting biographical information to achieve the desired results in this competitive process. Nominations are due by Friday, June 3.

For more information or if you’d like to submit a nomination, please contact the alumni relations office at (718) 862-7432 or e-mail alumni@manhattan.edu.

The 2011 induction ceremony will take place on Nov. 12, 2011.


Become a Mentor at Manhattan

The Mentor Program provides opportunities for Manhattan College students to gain insight into their intended careers by being paired with professionals, generally Manhattan College alumni in those careers. Students grow educationally, personally and professionally as they learn about their responsibilities and employment options within their career path. The Mentor Program is always looking for new mentors in all fields to assist our students, particularly in computer engineering and software, business, communications, law enforcement (FBI) and psychology.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Brother Charles Barbush, F.S.C., mentor program coordinator, by e-mailing charles.barbush@manhattan.edu or calling (718) 862-7519.


Jaspers Helping Jaspers

Since its inception in February 2009, the Alumni Society’s Jaspers Helping Jaspers initiative has posted more than 4,450 open positions on the College’s website. Alumni have contributed most of these job postings, but we need more.

The center for career development has identified mostly large companies where there are many alumni employed and will be reaching out to these alumni asking them to join our efforts to help unemployed Jaspers connect with open positions at their firms. In this economic environment, the personal touch of Jaspers Helping Jaspers is needed to help alumni who are unemployed and looking for work. 

This is a call to all of our alumni who are business owners and those in management positions at other firms. Please lend a hand to assist your fellow Jaspers. We need more interaction between alumni and this program. If you have open positions, please send the information to Bernadette Hicks, recruitment coordinator, via e-mail at bernadette.hicks@manhattan.edu, and if you’re looking for a job, send your résumé to Bernadette Hicks at the same e-mail address. If you would like to help our committee, contact Marjorie Apel, director of the center for career development, by e-mail at marjorie.apel@manhattan.edu.


Giving to Manhattan

Please consider Manhattan College as you make your charitable gifts. Your support helps provide essential student programs and services that make this Lasallian Catholic educational experience uniquely Manhattan.

Should you have any questions, please contact the development office at (718) 862-7582 or e-mail thomas.mccarthy@manhattan.edu.

Make a gift now »


Alumni Resources

Learn more about resources and programs available to 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 via e-mail at alumni@manhattan.edu.

For Manhattan Monthly questions or comments, please e-mail public_relations@manhattan.edu.

Welcome Back
Please join us in welcoming back Joe Dillon ’62. He will serve as interim director of alumni relations for a few months.


Faculty/Staff

Faculty and Staff Accomplishments

James Patrick Abulencia, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemical engineering, presented a biodegradable water purification solution at the EPA’s National Sustainable Design Expo in Washington, D.C., from April 15-17 with Shannon O’Brien, a chemical engineering graduate student at Manhattan College. The solution consists of coconut shells, grapefruit seed extract and bamboo, and is currently being tested in Nagcarlan, Philippines.

Joan Cammarata, Ph.D., professor of Spanish, presented the paper The Trajectory of Authorship of a Lost Play: Cervantes, Shakespeare, and…  in a comparative literature session at the 2011 conference of the Northeast Modern Language Association in April. She also organized two sessions, one of which she chaired, on Critical Discourses: Early Modern Spanish Literary Women.

Brian Chalk, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, was awarded an Honorable Mention for his dissertation in the competition for the J. Leeds Barroll Dissertation Prize by the Shakespeare Association of America, which is an international competition. In addition, he was accepted into New York University’s Faculty Network seminar Shakespeare and Early Modern Globalization.

Jeff Cherubini, Ph.D., associate professor of physical education and human performance, presented a paper entitled Positive Psychology: Practical Applications to Enhance Sport Opportunities for Females, and participated as a panelist in the workshop Becoming Marketable in the HPERD-Athletics Profession in the 21st Century for the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport at the 126th National Convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 

In addition, Cherubini presented Coaching the Youth Runner and Positive Exercise Psychology for the New York Road Runners Youth and Community Services staff and volunteers earlier this spring.

Anirban De, Ph.D., P.E., associate professor and associate chairman of the civil and environmental engineering department, presented a paper titled Modeling of Surface Blast Effects on Underground Structures at the GeoFrontiers 2011 conference held in March in Dallas, Texas. The paper is jointly authored by Ryan Conry, a civil engineering graduate student, who also contributed work as an undergraduate researcher through a grant from the National Science Foundation. 

De chaired a technical session at the conference on Hazards to Tunneling and Mitigation, jointly with Sunghoon Choi, M.S., a senior engineer with Parsons Brinkerhoff and an adjunct faculty member at Manhattan College.

Powell Draper, Ph.D., civil and environmental engineering professor, participated in Structure Quest 2011, a civil engineering event sponsored by the Manhattan College civil and environmental engineering department, Cooper Union, the Structural Engineers Association of New York, and the American Society of Civil Engineers Metropolitan Section on April 2. First organized by Draper and Ted Segal of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger in 2010, this is a scavenger hunt, which offers students the opportunity to visit notable works of civil engineering in New York City and learn about their history.

Jennifer C. Edwards, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, presented Reading Telemachus through Orestes: Using the Oresteia to Explain the Odyssey at the Association for Core Texts and Courses 17th Annual Conference in New Haven, Conn., in April. She will also participate in the New York University Faculty Resource Network summer seminar, Women and Public life in Ancient Times in June 2011.

Julie Leininger Pycior, Ph.D., professor of history, presented the paper Precursors: Mexicans in New York City Before 1960 at the Mexican Catholics in New York City conference on March 26 at Fordham University (link to more information on the conference).

Pycior also served on the planning board for the conference, which was sponsored by Mano a Mano/Mexican Culture without Borders, the Archdiocese of New York, Lehman College and the Curran Center for the Study of American Catholicism, Fordham University.

Claudia Setzer, Ph.D., professor of religious studies, and David Shefferman, Ph.D., assistant professor of religious studies, joint book will be published this month by Routledge Press. The Bible and American Culture traces the use of the Bible in American history and culture, in the great social debates, the founding of the republic, and in art and literature.

Laura Redruello, Ph.D., assistant professor of Spanish, was accepted for a summer fellowship by the Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA) Summer Fellowship program.


Welcome New Employees

Manhattan College welcomed five new employees this month including:
Patrick Burrows, physical plant; Lisa DiTomasso, college advancement; Stephen Masiello, head coach for men’s basketball; Charisse Simmons, registrar’s office; and Anatol Starkou, school of engineering.


Manhattan College Promotions

Congratulations to Fiona Delaney who was promoted to office manager in student financial services.


Manhattan College Milestones

Congratulations to William Kerin, in physical plant, for five years of service.

All milestones reflect full- and part-time service.


Sports

Manhattan College Welcomes New Men’s Basketball Coach

Bob Byrnes, Steve Masiello and Brennan O'DonnellSteve Masiello, the new men’s basketball head coach, was formally welcomed to the Manhattan College community on April 13 at a meet-and-greet in Draddy Gymnasium.

 

Pictured above from left to right: Bob Byrnes, Steve Masiello and Brennan O'Donnell

Read the press release »


Lady Jaspers Hold Tennis Clinic at P.S. 93

On April 2, the Manhattan College women’s tennis team held a free clinic at P.S. 93 in the Bronx. More than 50 students, both boys and girls, between the ages of 5 and 11 were taught how to play tennis using the United States Tennis Association (USTA) QuickStart Tennis Program.

Read the press release »


Shawn Ladda Presents Wade Trophy to Maya Moore

Shawn Ladda, Ed.M. and Ed.D., physical education and human performance professor at Manhattan College, presented the 2011 State Farm Wade Trophy to the University of Connecticut’s Maya Moore. The Wade Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division I women’s basketball player in the U.S., and is sponsored by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and the National Association for Girls and Women In Sports (NAWGS). Ladda is the president of the NAGWS.

Read the press release »


Rostant Named MAAC Performer of the Week

Cara Rostant, Manhattan College sophomore sprinter, was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Women’s Track & Field Performer of the Week on April 5 for the second straight week. Rostant finished first in the 400 meters at the Sam Howell Invitational in Princeton, N.J., on April 2.

Read the press release »


Jaspers Earn MAAC Baseball Weekly Awards

On April 4, Mike McCann, Manhattan College senior outfielder on the men’s baseball team was named MAAC Player of the Week and Mike Giordano, junior pitcher, earned MAAC Pitcher of the Week honors.

Read the press release »


Akapnitis Named MAAC Defensive Player of the Week

Rich Akapnitis, a freshman goalkeeper on Manhattan College’s men’s lacrosse team was named MAAC Defensive Player of the Week on April 4. The conference recognition was the third for the men’s lacrosse program this season. 

Read the press release »


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