News
College Recognized in Kiplinger's Survey
Manhattan College was recently named as one of the top 100 private universities in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Best Value in Private Colleges’ survey. The College placed first among New York colleges for lowest total cost and lowest average debt for students at graduation, and also ranked in the top 20 nationally for both of these categories.
School Building Leadership Program Receives TEAC Accreditation
The Teacher Accreditation Council (TEAC) recently awarded national accreditation to Manhattan College’s school building leadership program. The school building leadership program, which is part of the school of education, received accreditation for five years for its Master of Science in education and for the professional diploma.
College Honored With Good Neighbor Award
The Methodist Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation awarded Manhattan College with the good neighbor award at its 160th Anniversary Gala held at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx on Oct. 20. The College was recognized for enriching the lives of the Methodist Home’s residents by helping to develop a variety of programs throughout the years that coincide with academic courses.
Superior General from Rome To Visit Manhattan College on Nov. 9
Superior General Brother Álvaro Rodriguez Echeverria, FSC, leader of the largest Roman Catholic religious order of men devoted to the mission of education, will make a pastoral visit to Manhattan College on Nov. 9 as part of a two-week tour to the United States.
Manhattan College Hosts Open House
Despite the surprise October snowstorm, nearly 1,500 people gathered on Manhattan College’s campus on Oct. 30 for the College’s annual fall Open House. Prospective students and their families had the opportunity to hear the College’s jazz band perform and take a tour of campus, including checking out various labs on campus (physics, mathematics and computer science, biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, molecular modeling simulation, and television studios and labs).
Pictured right: Sign from Open House
Read the article and see photos»
Hannon '69 and Dillon '62 Named to Manhattan College Board of Trustees
The College elected William P. Hannon ’69, chief risk and business conduct officer for The Travelers Companies, to the Manhattan College’s board of trustees on Oct. 27.
In addition, Joseph Dillon ’62, president of the Alumni Society, was formally named to the College’s board of trustees. He will sit on the board of trustees as a representative of the Alumni Society during his three-year term as president.
Pictured from top left to bottom left: William Hannon and Joseph Dillon
Read the William Hannon press release »
Read the Joseph Dillon press release »
School of Science Educating Tomorrow's Scientists
Veronique Lankar, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of physics, is leading an initiative to educate economically disadvantaged and underrepresented high school students interested in pursuing science at the college level. The program launched this fall with students from Frank McCourt High School, Mother Cabrini High School, St. Jean Baptiste High School, a Catholic high school for women, and Cathedral High School, attending a four-week hands-on chemistry course with the College’s chemistry department. The high school students were taught the Fundamentals of Matter during four consecutive Saturdays by Daniel Carpenito, general chemistry laboratory technician for the College, and Lijun Cao, a junior business major, and Suzie Lalvay, a senior biochemistry major, also assisted in teaching the class.
The second course, Hands-on Optics was instructed by Devan Coons, a senior education major (and future physics teacher), in the optics laboratory in Hayden Hall working with mirrors, lenses and lasers. Both Lankar and Bruce Liby, Ph.D., associate professor of physics and chair of the department, supported Coons in his teaching and planning. Another class, Physics Behind the Headlines begins the week of Nov. 7, and Robert Fiore, Teressa Grabowski and Gabriel Duah, all junior education majors, will help Lankar in teaching the class and in the spring, as well.
The department of biology will also offer two dissection workshops during the spring semester allowing high school students to dissect piglets while learning about the different body systems. Students can take part in an AstroPHYSICS for Beginners course, and Lankar is also planning classes for fall 2012 including: Physics for Future Presidents and another section of AstroPHYSICS for Beginners.
Business Student Awarded Accounting Scholarship
Noreen McGinty, a senior accounting major, was awarded the 2011 New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and its Foundation for Accounting Education Excellence in Accounting Scholarship. She was among 44 students within the state of New York to receive the scholarship, which was established in 1990 and was started to provide financial assistance to encourage college students to enter the accounting profession.
Engineering Students Take First and Second Place in AOC Competition
Alexander Stein and Joseph Argento, both seniors and electrical and computer engineering majors, received first and second place in the Metropolitan Club Chapter of the Association of Old Crows (AOC) scholarship competition. Stein was awarded the top price of $3,750 and second place winner Argento obtained $3,250, and both will formally accept the awards at the chapter’s annual scholarship banquet on Nov. 11 at Crest Hollow Country Club.
Since 1989, AOC, a nonprofit, which focuses on the science and practice of electronic warfare and related disciplines, Metropolitan Club Chapter, has awarded Manhattan College students more than $60,000.
On Campus
Manhattan Community Receives NGO Perspective on Recent Developments in the Middle East and North Africa
For anyone who turned on the news, searched the Internet or read the newspaper this year, it was inevitable to learn of what is called the Arab spring, a chain of revolutionary demonstrations that have been taking place throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The uprisings began in Tunisia on Dec. 18, 2010, and major protests have surged through Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria and Yemen this past year.
Manhattan College offered insight on the Arab spring by inviting Mark Schnellbaecher, regional director of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, to lead a discussion titled An NGO Perspective on Recent Developments in the Middle East and North Africa. The event was sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the campus ministry and social action department (CMSA).
Schnellbaecher reflected on how the Arab spring surprised everyone, including CRS in the Middle East, which has been working there since the Suez War in 1956. He explained that the political unrest that exists in these countries stems from the interpretation of citizenship, where people have been treated as subjects rather than citizens by their political regimes. He discussed the work that CRS is doing in response to the protests, which includes providing securities for Christians in the Middle East and continually dealing with the Israeli-Palestine Conflict.
“This is only the very beginning of the Arab spring,” remarked Schnellbaecher. “This is a cleansing process and what is being cleansed out of these societies has been building up for many, many years.”
Following Schnellbaecher’s discussion, three Manhattan College professors spoke briefly in response based on their disciplinary areas of study. Thom Gencarelli, Ph.D., chair of the communication department, spoke regarding the role that social media played in coordinating the protests and in gaining the attention of international media outlets, which had not issued any coverage on these events until the revolution hit Egypt.
Natalia Boliari, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics, discussed the challenges of economic transformation in the Middle East resulting from incomplete reforms that led to corruption and sociopolitical weakening, where no system of checks and balances are currently in place.
“Right now, what is needed are adventurous businessmen who are looking to go into sectors aside from oil and invest in new business practices,” said Boliari. “It’s going to take time because these non-governmental organizations are the only means of direction for these entrepreneurs in becoming risk-takers.”
Pamela Chasek, Ph.D., associate professor of government, discussed U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, which she described as nearly nonexistent until there was an increase in U.S. national interest abroad. She emphasized our reliance on NGOs to assist the Middle East while being one step away from the government.
Following the discussion was an interactive Q&A session and a reception. The event offered insight to the Manhattan College community on the extent of the global perspective on the Arab Spring as it continues to unfold today.
Schweitzer Lecture Features Speakers From U.S. Holocaust Museum
The Holocaust Genocide and Interfaith Education Center will host the fourth annual Frederick M. Schweitzer Lecture on Monday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Smith Auditorium. Peter Black, Ph.D., senior historian at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Rebecca Erbelding, archivist of the museum, will discuss Kristallnacht: The Diary of Robert Harlan and Preserving Jewish Experiences. This event is free and open to the public.
Manhattan's Air Force ROTC Recruiting Students
The Air Force ROTC is actively recruiting full-time students interested in joining the program and becoming an Air Force officer after graduation. Participating officers in training can receive scholarships and $350-$500 monthly toward spending money and $900 per year for books.
View the Air Force ROTC brochure»
Alumni
Long Island Alumni Reception on Nov. 9
Geri Gregor '85, John Kirrane '78, John Nason '52 and Thomas McCarthy '06, director of alumni relations, cordially invite alumni to attend a reception on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 6-8 p.m. Jim O'Leary '75, proprietor of the Saint James Restaurant and Bar, is hosting the event at the restaurant, which is located at 190 Second Street, Mineola, N.Y. The cost of the event is $20 and includes open bar and hors d'oeuvres. Please R.S.V.P. by Monday, Nov. 7.
Athletic Hall of Fame To Induct Eight at Nov. 12 Ceremony
The 2011 Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12. The event will honor Robert T. Baker, football coach from '73-'82; Mark P. Connor '72, baseball; the Rev. John Cullinane '51, team chaplain; Lori A. Graham '99, lacrosse; James A. Gillcrist '51, track & field; Thomas J. Leder '61, baseball & basketball; Kathleen McCarrick-Weiden '79, women's basketball; and Manny Silverio '80, track & field. The 1986 women's cross-country and track and field teams will also receive special recognition.
Mass will be offered in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers at 4 p.m., cocktails will be served in Dante's Den at 5 p.m., and the dinner and ceremony will take place in Smith Auditorium at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend this special event.
For more information, register at the link below or call (718) 862-7432.
New York City Club Reception on Nov. 17
Attend a special networking reception on Nov. 17, entitled Getting Ready for Election: 2012, and featuring political strategist and media consultant Russell J. Schriefer '80 at New York Life Insurance Company (51 Madison Avenue, Ben Feldman Room).
Attendees are encouraged to invite alumni and colleagues and enjoy a social networking atmosphere from 6-9 p.m. The cost is $55 per person and includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Registration is required by Monday, Nov. 14 (security mandates that all guest be preregistered).
Register »
Southwest Florida Alumni Reception on Nov. 29
Jim Connors '57 will be hosting an evening alumni reception at 6 p.m. at Figs Grille (25987 S. Tamiani Trail, Bonita Springs, Fla.,). The dinner is $25 per person and spouses and guests are invited to attend. Tom McCarthy, director of alumni relations, and Tom Mauriello, vice president for college advancement, will be on hand to represent the College. For more information, register at the link below or call (718) 862-7432.
Come to the Gulf Coast Alumni Luncheon on Nov. 30
Join fellow Jaspers at the annual Gulf Coast alumni luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 12 p.m. at the University Park Country Club in Sarasota, Fla., (7671 The Park Blvd.). The lunch is $25 per person (cash bar), and spouses and guests are invited to attend. Tom McCarthy, director of alumni relations, and Tom Mauriello, vice president for college advancement will be on hand to represent the College.
For more information, contact Neil O'Leary '60 by e-mail at cjoleary@yahoo.com or phone at (941) 358-7720.
Battle of the Bronx – Manhattan vs. Fordham
On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Manhattan College will host the Fordham University Rams for the 104th meeting of the Jaspers vs. Rams in Draddy Gymnasium. Please join alumni relations before the game at 5 p.m. for a pre-game reception at Café 1853 in Thomas Hall at $40 per person, and registration is required. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
Calling All Alumni of Singers and Glee Club
Alumni who once performed with the College’s Singers or Glee Club are invited to join in singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus at this year’s Festival of Lessons and Carols, taking place on Sunday, Dec. 4. Participants are asked to arrive at 2 p.m. Please complete the registration form below to register.
Become a Class Representative
Reunion Weekend 2012 will be held Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3, 2012. Manhattan College welcomes home alumni who return to campus to celebrate the 143rd Alumni Reunion Weekend. Classes ending in either 7 or 2 will have special receptions planned for them.
For more information on how to be a part of an organizing committee, please call the alumni relations office at (718) 862-7977 or e-mail thomas.mccarthy@manhattan.edu.
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, FSC, 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 giving@manhattan.edu.
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 specific questions or comments, please e-mail public_relations@manhattan.edu.
Faculty/Staff
Faculty and Staff Accomplishments
Nicole Leo Braxtan, Ph.D., assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, recently published a paper with a colleague (Stephen Pessiki, Ph.D., professor of structural engineering at Lehigh University) in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Journal of Structural Engineering. The paper was part of the Special Issue: Commemorating 10 Years of Research Since 9/11 and is titled: Postearthquake Fire Performance of Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material on Steel Moment Frames.
Ashley Cross, Ph.D., associate professor of English, recently published the following two articles: "Charlotte Dacre," a critical biographical essay in British Writers Supplement and "Robert Southey and Mary Robinson in Dialogue" in Wordsworth Circle.
Lois Harr, director of campus ministry and adjunct instructor of religious studies, recently accepted membership on the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities' (ACCU) Peace & Justice Advisory Committee.
Richard Kirchner, Ph.D., professor in the chemistry and biochemistry department, with co-author Robert W. Broach, published "Structures of the K+ and NH4+ Forms of Linde J" in Microporous and Mesoporous Materials.
Zella E. Moore, Psy.D., associate professor of psychology, recently published a chapter entitled, "Clinical Sport Psychology: From Enhanced Performance to Psychological Well-being" in the text, The New Sport and Exercise Psychology Companion (edited by T. Morris and P. C. Terry). The text is published by Fitness Information Technology.
Moore also recently published an article entitled, "Understanding Models of Performance Enhancement from the Perspective of Emotion Regulation" in the peer-reviewed journal Athletic Insight.
Claudia Setzer, Ph.D., professor of religious studies, was a respondent at Fordham University's annual fall McGinley Lecture and the event was entitled, Law and Love: Jewish, Christian and Muslim Attitudes.
HR Announcements
Staff and Administrators Annual Convocation
The staff and administrators annual convocation will be held on Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers. This year, the event will celebrate and honor Dan Mecca, head coach of the cross country and track and field programs at Manhattan College, and his 25 years of service at Manhattan College. Also, the ninth Distinguished Lasallian Administrative Award will be presented to Richard Cardinale, associate controller, and the staff award will be presented to Patricia Stone, human resources manager.
Annual Christmas Party
The Annual Christmas Party will be held on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. in Dante's Den. An official invitation will be distributed in early December.
TIAA- CREF – Individual Counseling Sessions
Human resources will be offering individual counseling sessions to discuss your personal financial situation with a TIAA-CREF consultant on a confidential basis. They will be available to discuss how to help you achieve your financial goals by investing in financial solutions such as mutual funds, life insurance and annuities. The counseling sessions include: Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 28 from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m-4 p.m.; and all sessions will be held in the Chancellors Room on the third floor of Memorial Hall. To schedule an appointment, contact Maxine Jones (800) 842-2733 Ext. 232461.
Please note: Your individual appointment will be limited to one half hour. Please make sure you're at your appointment on time and please call in advance if you need to cancel and/or re-schedule.
Life Insurance
On the following dates and times, human resources will be offering an open enrollment period with UNUM, our new life insurance carrier, for employees to sign up for Optional Term Life and AD&D insurance in addition to a new portable policy, Whole Life insurance. The dates and times include: Monday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Charter Room on the second floor of Memorial Hall.
Tuition Exchange Program
The tuition exchange program provides a national scholarship exchange program for dependent children of full-time faculty and staff. The most recent list of colleges participating in the program may be reviewed at www.tuitionexchange.org. For the academic year 2012-2013, human resources is offering two scholarships.
An application for the tuition exchange must be completed and returned to Eileen Armstrong, assistant director for benefits, no later than Thursday, Dec. 1.
Wellness Health Screenings
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, human resources will be conducting a free wellness-screening program by appointment only for those employees covered under the Christian Brothers Employee Benefit Trust medical plan. This screening will take approximately 30 minutes and will consist of 36 lab tests, blood pressure and body mass index, educational summary report, questionnaire, health portal, wellness coach and other optional services.
AFLAC
Manhattan College is pleased to offer once again both the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account. These two plans go into effect Jan. 1, 2012. A representative from AFLAC will be conducting the enrollment process on Wednesday, Dec. 7 in the in the Charter Room on the second floor of Memorial Hall, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Welcome New Employees
Manhattan College welcomed ten new employees this month including: Julie Achilles, content manager for the office of marketing and communication; Diane Atkinson, secretary for the dean of the school of business; Nicole Bruck, assistant director of annual giving; Sharon D’Amelia, associate director for career development; Kevin Guzman, public safety officer; Nancy Hesselbacher, financial aid counselor for student financial services; Gabrielle Kaminsky, development writer; Elvys Quezada, athletic department operations manager and assistant baseball coach; Dolores Rowen, Middle States secretary; and Spencer Wright, assistant coach for men’s lacrosse.
Manhattan College Promotions
Congratulations to all of the following people who received a promotion:
Jake Holmquist, director of information technology services
Robert Moran, associate director of information technology services
Richard Musal, assistant director of client services and operations
Manhattan College Milestones
Congratulations to all of the following people who celebrated an anniversary in November:
Five Years
Thomas Mauriello, vice president for college advancement
Andre Santiago, library assistant for O’Malley Library
Fifteen Years
Suzanne Murphy, coordinator for the school of continuing and professional studies and an adjunct assistant professor
Sports
Athletics Debuts New Basketball Floor
As part of the renovations to Draddy Gymnasium, the Manhattan College community received a peek at the new basketball floor at March Madness, the preseason basketball pep-rally on Oct. 14.
Pictured to the right: Draddy Gymansium
Four Manhattan Teams Boast Perfect Graduation Rates
According to the most recent NCAA Division I Graduation Success Rates (GSR), 89 percent of Manhattan College student-athletes graduate on time with their class. In fact, four Manhattan teams, women's basketball, women's soccer, women's swimming and volleyball, had a perfect GSR of 100.
Softball Named Division I All-Academic Team By NFCA
The College's softball team was recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as a Division I All-Academic Team on Oct. 7. The Jaspers had a team GPA of 3.410 in the 2010-2011 academic year, which ranked 14th among all Division I programs. In addition, nine Manhattan student-athletes were named All-American Scholar Athletes by the NFCA.
Quezada Joins Manhattan Baseball Staff
Manhattan Baseball Coach Jim Duffy announced the addition of Elvys Quezada to the Jasper coaching staff on Oct. 6. A seven-year veteran of professional baseball, Quezada adds championship experience to the staff.
Blair Featured In MAAC "A Day In the Life" Video
Junior guard Maggie Blair of the women's basketball team is one of 10 student-athletes featured in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's (MAAC) "A Day In the Life" video presentation, which debuted on Oct. 25 during the conference's preseason awards show from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
George Beamon Selected to Preseason All-MAAC Second Team
Junior guard/forward George Beamon of the men's basketball team has been named to the Preseason All-MAAC Second Team by the conference's 10 head coaches.
GoJaspers.com
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