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News from Around the College, 2016

From left to right are: David Fullard, Jawana Richardson, Hany Abousalem, Laurie Johnson, Larry Johnson, Latanga Blair, fiancée of Syndey Clark, Carmen Feliciano and Sydney Clark at the Ronald McDonald House on Long Island.

Pay It Forward Philanthropy Initiative Collects 1,100 Items for Five Ronald McDonald Houses

Posted December 21, 2016

More than 1,100 items were donated to five Ronald McDonald House in New York state, thanks to the Pay It Forward Philanthropic Initiative. ... MORE

Steve Milton, left, and his uncle Don Milton at the dedication of the Robert Milton Memorial Garden. Photo/Canal Town Photo

Robert Milton Memorial Garden Dedicated

Posted December 14, 2016

Representatives of the entire college community, friends and family recently gathered at the college’s new facility, located Rochester, N.Y., to dedicate the Robert Milton Memorial Garden. ... MORE

SUNY Empire Alumna Lydia Rhoades-Brown '88, '15, discusses her research with colleagues at the Online Learning Consortium’s OLC Accelerate 2016 Conference.

Graduate Alumni Present Research Projects at Prestigious National Online Learning Conference

Posted December 7, 2016

Recent graduate alumni Lydia Rhoades-Brown ’15, ‘88 and Rolando Valentin ’16 presented their final research projects at the Online Learning Consortium’s OLC Accelerate 2016 Conference (OLC). ... MORE

Three-year-old Lillian will be very busy Christmas morning, thanks to the college’s Office of Admissions and the Saratoga County Children’s Committee’s Empty Stocking Project.

The Office of Admissions Stuffs an Empty Stocking for 3-year-old Lillian

Posted December 5, 2016

Three-year-old Lillian will be very busy Christmas morning, thanks to the college’s Office of Admissions and the Saratoga County Children’s Committee’s Empty Stocking Project. ... MORE

Hancock Headshot

From President Hancock: SUNY Empire a Place for Respectful, Educational Dialogue; Shared Sites Coming

Posted November 21, 2016

"I am writing to reassure the college community that SUNY Empire State College is a place where people who adhere to divergent ideologies and political beliefs, and who are from different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, gather in respectful and educational dialogue. And it will continue to be." ... MORE

Student Maria Rizzo and President Merodie A. Hancock

“Dreaming in Purple” Takes Home First Place and Wins Poster Contest in Annual Student Art Competition

Posted November 15, 2016

Rizzo, who is completing her Bachelor of Art in The Arts, with a concentration in visual arts, is a fine artist specializing in acrylic and oil painting on canvas who owns and operates Maria Rizzo Art. ... MORE

Duncan RyanMann, Frank Vander Valk, Rhianna Rogers and Menouhka Case

Inspiring Innovative Learning: The 2016 Fall Academic Conference

Posted November 3, 2016

The SUNY Empire State College 2016 Fall Academic Conference, “Inspiring Innovative Learning,” attracted more than 270 college faculty and professional staff, an all-time high level of participation for the annual event. ... MORE

Professor Roxana Toma, left, and President Merodie Hancock present Professor Julie Shaw with the 2016 Susan H. Turben Award for Excellence in Scholarship. Toma is the 2015 award recipient.

Professor Julia Penn Shaw to Deliver Susan H. Turben Faculty Lecture at Fall Academic Conference

Posted October 19, 2016

Shaw’s Turben lecture, “Construction of Meaning: Dimensions of Body and Mind,” is the capstone of the Susan H. Turben Scholarship Award. ... MORE

Pay It Forward Philanthropy Initiative Launches

Posted September 26, 2016

The Pay It Forward Philanthropy Initiative at SUNY Empire State College is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging students, alumni, faculty and staff to seek imaginative ways to engage and give back to the college and the communities where they live, work, teach and learn ... MORE

SUNY, University of the West Indies Establish Center for Leadership and Sustainable Development

Posted September 23, 2016

The new center will be located at the college's Manhattan location, 325 Hudson ... MORE

Alumni Offer Back-to-School Advice for New and Returning Students

Posted September 9, 2016

The phrase “back-to-school” takes on a whole new meaning for SUNY Empire State College students. Just ask the college’s 78,000 alumni. ... MORE

First-ever Student Mixers to be Held Upstate, Downstate and Around the State

Posted September 6, 2016

Undergraduate and graduate students, including those learning entirely online, are encouraged to attend any or all mixers near to where they live and work, or near to where they happen to be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, and/or Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. ... MORE

Veteran and Military Alumni and Students Gathered for a Family Fun Day

Posted August 10, 2016

The SUNY Empire State College Office of Veteran and Military Education sponsored a family fun day for students and their families on July 23, at Darien Lake, an amusement and water park located about halfway between Batavia and Buffalo, just south of Interstate 90. ... MORE

22nd Annual Alumni Day at the Races at Saratoga Another Winner

Posted August 2, 2016

On Friday, July 29, warm sunshine and clear blue skies greeted more than 200 alumni, family and friends, who traveled from all corners of the state to the historic Saratoga Race Course for the 22nd annual SUNY Empire State College Day at the Races. ... MORE

SUNY Empire State College and UUP Rock the Vote

Posted July 22, 2016

Student Suzanne Lazar, Professor Karen Garner and Pamela Malone, the college’s director of student accounts and president of the United University Professions chapter, participated in Rock the Vote, a national, nonpartisan voter-registration campaign. ... MORE

Nursing Students Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

Posted July 22, 2016

Sixty-four SUNY Empire State College nursing students were inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. ... MORE

First-ever Statewide Open House at a Success

Posted July 7, 2016

Nearly 60 percent of those who signed up in advance participated in SUNY Empire State College’s first-ever statewide open house, held Tuesday evening, June 28. ... MORE

Milestone: Move-in Day in Rochester

Posted June 29, 2016

The first day of summer, Monday, June 20, was not only the longest day of the year, but a very productive one, as the college moved into its newest home at 680 Westfall Road in Brighton, N.Y. ... MORE

Webster Empire State Graduates Cheer on Graduating Son

Posted May 27, 2016

Just like eye and hair color, it seems SUNY Empire State College diplomas run in families, too. On Sunday, June 12, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Travis Brown, 27, who holds an associate degree from the college in Human Development, will receive his bachelor’s degree in the same area. He will join his mother and stepfather, Webster residents Rick and Christina Pearson, to make a family of alumni. ... MORE

Mario Salvati and His Daughter, Sarah Harman, to Graduate in the Class of 2016

Posted May 25, 2016

In the early ’90s, Mario Salvati,62,a recording engineer/producer with more than 40 years of experience, decided “to ease off the studio life and teach the next generations.” He will receive his Bachelor of Arts in The Arts from SUNY Empire State College as part of the Class of 2016. Joining Salvati at graduation is his daughter, Sarah Harman, 38, a photographer who has completed her Bachelor of Science in Business, Management and Economics at SUNY Empire. ... MORE

Greece, N.Y. Husband and Wife to Walk Stage Together at SUNY Empire State College Graduation

Posted May 25, 2016

It’s been said that adversity is the mother of invention, but it also can be the source of reinvention. Husband and wife Renee and P. Shane McAfee, of Greece, N.Y., will be graduating together in the Class of 2016 from SUNY Empire State College at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 12, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. ... MORE

Sandra Barkevich receives service award at Empire State College's 2015 Student Wellness Retreat

Mother and Daughter Graduate in Class of 2016 at SUNY Empire State College’s Capital District region

Posted May 24, 2016

As a shift supervisor for a fast-food chain, a chance meeting at the drive-through window brought SUNY Empire State College graduate Sandra Barkevich ’13, ’16 her greatest cheerleader, her husband, Keith, who was a customer that day. She, in turn, encouraged her mother, Migdalia Crego, 63, deputy compact administrator for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, to pursue her own dreams of higher education. ... MORE

Professor Ian Reifowitz Interviewed by France 24 about the Race for the White House

Posted May 16, 2016

Professor of Historical Studis Ian Reifowitz was interviewed on news channel France 24 on Wednesday, May 4. He discussed the state of the presidential race and Donald Trump's new status as the presumptive Republican nominee. ... MORE

Interim College Home Page Wins SUNY/CUAD Award

Interim College Home Page Wins SUNY/CUAD Award

Posted May 19, 2016

SUNY Empire State College’s Office of Enrollment Management has won a SUNY/CUAD Award for Best in Category, Websites/Web Content, for its refreshed home page. ... MORE

Nell Braxton Gibson '82 and Ted Bunch '94 Presented with Distinguished Alumni Awards

Posted May 17, 2016

This year’s celebratory theme was “Generations.” ... MORE

Alumni/Student Clubs Sponsor “Resurrecting Nat Turner”

Posted May 16, 2016

On Wednesday, April 27, the Black Male Initiative and Voices Poetry Group, two of SUNY Empire State College’s many alumni/student clubs, co-sponsored "Resurrecting Nat Turner," an overview of the controversial slave revolt led by this enslaved African-American in 1800s. ... MORE

“Later Rather Than Sooner: The Photographs of Paul Tick and Agnes Zellin”

Posted May 17, 2016

The exhibit of black-and-white photographs by wife Agnes Zellin ’82 and husband Paul Tick ’75 documents New York City in the ‘70s and ‘80s. ... MORE

Professor and poet Mindy Kronenberg at historic William Miller House, Miller Place, N.Y. for a reading as part of National Poetry Month. Photo/Ann Becker

Long Island Poetic Legacy Recognizes National Poetry Month

Posted May 2, 2016

National Poetry Month was recognized by The Long Island Poetic Legacy, an event co-sponsored by SUNY Empire State College’s Alumni Association and the Miller Place-Mt. Sinai Historical Society. ... MORE

Staten Island location students and faculty enjoyed an evening of bowling.

Fourth Annual Bowling Night Held on Staten Island Enhanced Networking and Recruitment

Posted April 26, 2016

Students Lillian Curran, Darlene Sampagna, Joy Webb, Denise Webb, Paula Sorci and Amy Koltosk, mentees, several prospective students and members of the college’s faculty, mentors Gina Torino, Ruth Losack, Thomas Kernodle, Luis Camacho, Gennaro Bonfiglio, Electra Weeks and Laura Farrell engaged in a great deal of fun and a little bit of friendly competition. ... MORE

Record-setting Attendance at 2016 Student Wellness Retreat

Posted April 21, 2016

More than 600 people attended the 2016 SUNY Empire State College Student Wellness Retreat, an increase of more than 140 percent compared to the 250 who attended the 2013 retreat, the first year it was offered by the college. ... MORE

Left to right are Professors Albert Castello, David Gechlik, Officer Vincent Tieniber and his K-9-partner Champ, Sgt. Randy Brenner and his K-9-partner Shaunie and Lt. John Pappas. Photo/Michael Bailey

NYPD Transit Bureau Canine Unit Meets with Students and Faculty for a Study Group

Posted April 20, 2016

In a classic exercise of courtesy, professionalism and respect, the members of the New York Police Department’s Transit Bureau Canine Unit met with a group of SUNY Empire State College students and faculty to discuss the unit’s role and responsibilities in keeping the community safe. ... MORE

Left to right are: student Larry Johnson, president of the college's Black Male Initiative, Yusef Salaam and student Omar Richards, vice president of the Black Male Initiative. Photo/David Fullard

An Evening with Yusef Salaam

Posted April 6, 2016

SUNY Empire State College’s Black Male Initiative (BMI) hosted “An Evening with Yusef Salaam” on March 17 at the Brooklyn location. Salaam was wrongly convicted in what became known as "The Central Park Jogger Case.” ... MORE

SUNY Empire State College student Francesca Cacace OVERDUE

Two Episodes of Student Fran Cacace’s Digital Film Series “OVERDUE” to be Screened

Posted April 4, 2016

“The Unicorn” and “The Brunch Club,” a digital mockumentary starring and co-written, co-produced and co-filmed by SUNY Empire State College student Francesca Cacace, will be screened at 7 p.m., Friday, April 8, at the Cazenovia Public Library, Cazenovia, N.Y. ... MORE

LIC Riverhead Unit at 303 Griffing Avenue

Student Club and SUNY Empire State College Team Up with Eastern Suffolk BOCES to Tutor Students in Pathway Programs

Posted March 28, 2016

The MSiA * BOCES Pathway Program for adult literacy was formed to assist students in the BOCES Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) preparation program. ... MORE

Professor Roxana Toma Delivers 2016 Turben Lecture at All College Conference

Posted March 22, 2016

The Susan H. Turben Excellence in Scholarship Faculty Lecture, delivered by Roxana Toma, will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 3:30 p.m., in the Saratoga Springs City Center, meeting room 1, and will be streamed live via the Internet at www.esc.edu/esc-tv. ... MORE

Image caption: Members of Theater for Change, a theater group comprising formerly incarcerated women performed skits related to incarceration. Photo/Layla Abdullah-Poulos ‘10

Getting Serious about Prison Education

Posted March 21, 2016

In recognition of Black History Month, SUNY Empire State College Education for All (ESCEA), one of the college’s many student/alumni clubs, organized an event, “Getting Serious About Prison Education.” ... MORE

Margaret McNally-Bradshaw '11, is currently pursuing her MBA in Management, was unanimously re-elected to the American Motorcyclists Association board and now serves as chair. Photo/AMA American Motorcyclist magazine

Margaret McNally-Bradshaw '11 Chairs American Motorcyclist Assn. as Only Female Ever

Posted March 16, 2016

Margaret McNally-Bradshaw '11, was last month unanimously re-elected to the American Motorcyclist Association board and is the only female on the 12-person board. She now serves as chair. ... MORE

Mayor Lovely Warren, holding her award for “Contributions to a Significant Chapter in NOTA’s History,” was joined by state Sen. Joseph Robach at a recent event co-sponsored by SUNY Empire State College. Photo/Sandra St. James ‘15

A Salute to Women in Business, Carol Acquilano ’15 and April Baskin ’15, Among Honorees

Posted March 15, 2016

Nearly 80 people, including state Sen. Joseph E. Robach, Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren and SUNY Empire students, alumni, faculty and staff attended the event. ... MORE

Rhianna Rogers, student mentor, assistant professor in Cultural Studies and co-convener of the Interdisciplinary Studies area of study. Photo/Empire State College

College Forum on Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Set for April 27, 7-9 PM; to Be Streamed Live

Posted March 1, 2016

Cultural misunderstandings in recent national news have triggered discussions about the role of cultural diversity and inclusion in institutions of higher education. ... MORE

Left to right are Associate Dean Cathy Leaker, graduate student Layla Abdullah-Poulos ‘10, Professor Elena Michelson, graduate student Tanya Rice Thompson ’14, and Professor Alan Mandell at the 2016 celebration of experiential learning.

Experiential Learning Celebrated

Posted February 16, 2016

More than 30 students, faculty, staff and alumni joined in a broad discussion of the nature of experiential learning, its impact on individual students and on higher education nationally. ... MORE

AAC&U Vice President Tia Brown McNair

Tia Brown McNair, AAC&U Vice President, Office of Diversity, Equity and Student Success to Deliver 2016 Boyer Lecture

Posted February 16, 2016

The lecture will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, Main Hall, Saratoga City Center, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and will be streamed live via the Internet at www.esc.edu/esc-tv. ... MORE

Student participating in the college's leadership institute gathered in Saratoga Springs the last weekend of January 2016. Photo/Empire State College

First Cohort of Students Participate in the College’s Leadership Institute

Posted February 4, 2016

Twenty-five students, together with faculty and professional staff, gathered in January for SUNY Empire State College’s Student Leadership Institute Winter Retreat at the college’s 2 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs location. ... MORE

Melissa Boes

SUNY Empire Student Teams with Red Cross for Chance at Scholarship

Posted January 14, 2016

Thirty-four people braved the snow and cold winds Tuesday to donate blood at the Dale Association. The drive was sponsored by Melissa Boes as part of the American Red Cross “Leaders Save Lives” scholarship program. ... MORE

David Shakes ’85, who directed and performed in James’s Baldwin’s play “The Amen Corner,” at the Multi Use Community Cultural Center, Rochester. Photo/Annette Dragon

Production of James Baldwin’s “The Amen Corner” a Smash Hit

Posted January 29, 2016

Of the five-night run, four shows were sellouts, one was oversold – additional chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the overflow audience – and standing ovations greeted the actors at the conclusion of every performance. ... MORE

Dawn Judkins and Still Life

SUNY Empire Students and Alumni Showcase Artwork

Posted January 29, 2016

SUNY Empire alumni, and students studying art therapy, drawing and painting, showcased the fruits of their labor at an art show opening Tuesday, Jan. 26, in the college’s Teaching Gallery, 111 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, N.Y. ... MORE

Martha J. Kanter

Martha Kanter, Former U.S. Under Secretary of Education, Guest for Revisioning Adult Higher Education Webinar

Posted January 19, 2016

The webinar is free, open to the public and takes place from noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17. ... MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Photo/©Benedict J. Fernandez ‘87

SUNY Empire State College Observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Posted January 15, 2016

Members of the SUNY Empire State College community across the state and around the world are asked to consider participating in Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, a national effort that honor’s King’s legacy, by volunteering their time for a good cause on Monday, Jan. 18. ... MORE

Saudia Khan at the college's 2015 Student Academic Conference. Photo/Empire State College

Saudia Khan, Labor Center Student and IBEW Local 3 Apprentice Honored

Posted January 12, 2016

Saudia Khan, an apprentice with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 and a student learning at the SUNY Empire State College Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies, has been recognized by The Edward J. Malloy Initiative for Construction Skills for volunteering to inform graduating seniors at her former high school about the initiative. ... MORE

SUNY Empire State College Awarded $400,000 to Develop New B.S. in Health Science

Posted January 12, 2016

The new program will contribute to achieving SUNY’s systemwide completion agenda of awarding 150,000 degrees each year by 2020. ... MORE

Polly Baird, Richard Porter Leach Fellowship Recipient 2015-16

Dancer, Singer and Student Polly Baird Receives SUNY Empire’s Richard Porter Leach Fellowship

Posted January 7, 2016

It took a confluence of opportunity and timing (some might say destiny) before Polly Baird, then 18, joined the ballet chorus of the Broadway hit, “Phantom of the Opera.” ... MORE