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Campus Connection: September 2009
Faculty and Staff Kudos | Student And Alumni News |
The Achievements page on Ramapo College's Web site has been renamed Campus Connection. This new format will still provide updates of accomplishments by faculty, staff and students and also offer an opportunity to include photographs. In addition, Campus Connection will keep readers apprised of new staff, promotions, reclassifications and retirements.
| COLLEGE RECOGNITION |
 Jeff Rhode, Mac Specialist |
In the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges,” released by U.S. News & World Report, Ramapo College advanced in the rankings for the third year in a row in the Universities-Master’s North Category. Of the 26 public colleges and universities in the category, Ramapo College once again ranks number 5. The ranking criteria continued to distinguish Ramapo as an institution dedicated to small class size, a strong first-year retention rate and loyal support from alumni. Ramapo College was recently nominated for a Spirit of Sodexo Award. The nomination was for Service Spirit. Nancy Carr, former director of Specialized Services, along with representatives of SOAR, (Sodexo Organization for Disabilities Resources), were responsible for the nomination. The article
The Anisfield School of Business has been named the new home to one of the nation's foremost associations dedicated to the promotion of scholarly and educational exchange, research and discussion of economic affairs, the Eastern Economic Association. Established in 1974, the Association publishes the highly acclaimed Eastern Economic Journal, which presents methodological and philosophical as well as empirical and theoretical papers from all areas of economics. In addition, the Association hosts an annual conference on the Eastern Seaboard that draws more than 1,000 presenters from throughout the world. Dr. Alexandre Olbrecht, Associate Professor of Economics, will serve as the Association's new Executive Director. To read the full press release on the topic, please click here.
Jeff Rhode, MAC Specialist here at Ramapo, along with a team of staff members, has assisted the College in donating 50 MAC computers to help foster children and homeless young adults throughout the state of New Jersey. The recipients of these computers were The Heart Gallery of NJ in Clifton and Covenant House in Newark. The New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services distributed the computers to children who would not be able to afford them otherwise. Covenant House is using the computers at their locations and at Raphael’s Life House, which provides homes to new moms and pregnant young adults.
| FACULTY AND STAFF KUDOS |
Elaine Patterson EdD, APN-C, RN-C, associate professor of Nursing attended the 24th annual quadrennial of the International Council of Nurses in Durban, South Africa as a member of the National League of Nursing/International Nurses Education Services and Accreditation Commission. International. She also presented a paper to the International Council of Nurses Congress. The paper is titled: “STDs in teenagers in the US and Africa.”
Frances Shapiro-Skrobe, Ph.D., a professor of English in the Teacher Education Program of the School of Social Science and Human Services, accepted an invitation from The Institute of International Education (IIE) to serve on its National Screening Committee for English Teaching Assistantships in South America. The appointment, which begins with the fall semester, is for three years. The IIE conducts scholarship competitions for U.S. graduate students who pursue study, research or professional training abroad under the Fulbright-Hays Program sponsored by the United States Department of State. Previously, the professor received a prestigious Fulbright-Hays Junior Lectureship and served as a visiting professor of Linguistics at the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo in Trujillo, Peru. There, she taught linguistics courses and trained English language teachers.
(photo left)
Debra Lukacsko, associate director of Student Health Services, recently received a certificate of commendation from the County of Bergen for the Annual EMS Award for outstanding EMT instructor. She was also acknowledged by the Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the outstanding EMT instructors through the emergency medicine and paramedic unit.
Christian G. Reich, Ph.D., assistant professor of Behavioral Neuroscience, was awarded an $187,500 research grant by the National Institutes of Health. The three-year grant will fund the research that Reich began while associated with the School of Medicine at the University of Maryland. Reich’s research seeks to uncover the reasons for mood disorders such as major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder that affects 20 million Americans. Specifically, this project will assess the impact of stress on the brain region that is involved in memory and learning. (photo right)
Bea Cronin, director of Human Resources, has been elected to serve on the executive board of the New Jersey College and University Professional Association for Human Resources for the tenth consecutive year. She will serve as Secretary for this coming year.
(photo left)
Sieudial Ramkissoon retired as of August 1, 2009. Sieudial was the Assistant Chief Security Officer for the Office of Public Safety. (photo right)
Professor Michael R. Edelstein published an article titled, “Ecological Literacy in the Undergraduate Curriculum: Ramapo College of New Jersey's Pioneer Sustainability Curricular Infusion Project.” The article was featured in a special issue of Thresholdsin Education titled “The Place for Sustainability in HigherEducation,” Vol. XXXV, Nos. 1 & 2,Spring/Summer 2009.
Mary Cicitta, director of Publications, won three awards from Graphic Design USA, which for more than four decades has sponsored national design competitions that spotlight areas of excellence for creative professionals. Always among the largest design competitions, this year’s competition received more than 8,000 entries. Of these, 15 percent were recognized with an Award of Excellence. Ramapo College received three awards: In A Word Ramapo…the College’s Admissions Junior Brochure, What Makes Ramapo? In A Word… our Viewbook and Experience the Summer at Ramapo… the College’s new Summer Course Catalog.
(photo left)
The President's Staff Recognition Program recognizes excellence and extraordinary effort demonstrated by Ramapo College employees. This year's recipients, announced at the annual Picnic at the Pavilion held on Thursday, May 21 were:
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| STUDENT AND ALUMNI NEWS |
Alumni Gain Insight on Navigating the Economy
Thirty alumni gathered in the Trustees Pavilion on June 23 to gain insight on “How to Develop a Personal Marketing Plan in Order to Navigate Today’s Economy.” This Alumni Career Development Series featured a presentation by Christopher D’Marco, executive vice president, Change & Response Strategies, LLC. The career program was offered as a service to the community who are concerned about their futures in light of the difficult economic climate.
The program was sponsored by the Career Services Committee, a subcommittee of the Alumni Board of Directors, with representation from the Cahill Center. The Committee, in partnership with the Cahill Center, is planning future career development events. Committee members Kim Albano ’82, Jonathan Marcus ’93, Richard McDowell ’77, Marianne Picinic ’98, Peter Seminara ’00 and Donna Mainardi Singer ‘78 invite alumni to send recommendations for future programs to alumni@ramapo.edu.
Alumni are encouraged to continue to network with other alums on Ramapo College’s LinkedIn page (keywords Ramapo College of New Jersey – Alumni) or on Facebook.
Be a Part of the Celebration!
Plans are underway for an Alumni Reunion BBQ in spring 2010 to celebrate Ramapo College’s 40th Anniversary. Special reunion celebrations also will be planned for Greeks, Residence Life and the Student Government Association. If you were a member of one of these organizations and would like to serve on your group’s event planning committee, please contact Purvi Parekh at 201.684.7115 or Purvi@ramapo.edu.
| NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RECLASSIFICATIONS |
Izumi Osawa-Minevich has joined the Ramapo staff as a secretarial assistant for International Education.
Coryn Blank joined the College as a Post Baccalaureate Fellow.
John Costa joined the staff as the new assistant director of Student Development.
Sara Gazzillo was promoted to Secretarial Assistant 1 in Human Resources.
Christopher Romano was promoted to Acting Director of Enrollment Management.
Sonia Rosko was promoted to Assistant Supervisor 3 of Facilities.
Pamela Marcus received a restructuring title change and is now a Field Placement Coordinator of Law and Society in Teacher Education.
| SAVE THE DATE |
Ramapo’s Opening Convocation will be held on Wednesday, September 16, at 1 p.m. in the Arena at the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center. The speaker for this year’s Convocation will be award-winning writer of the Wall Street Journal column “Moving On,” and co-author of the #1 New York Times Best-Seller The Last Lecture, Jeffrey Zaslow. For more information, please contact Jennifer Tunnicliffe at x7659
On September 26, Ramapo will host the EMS 10th Anniversary, and Alumni Reunion. The event will commence at 6 p.m. in the Trustees Pavilion. For more information on this event, please contact Purvi Parekh at x7115, or email her at purvi@ramapo.edu.
On October 1, 8, 15, and 22, Ramapo will be holding a “Personal Financial Management Workshop.” This four-night course covers financial basics, retirement income, investments, risk management and estate planning. For more information, please visit Personal Financial Management Workshop.
On October 26, The Ramapo College Alumni Association and the Cahill Center
will hold their second Ramapo Alumni Career Development Series program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the Trustees Pavilion. Mark Van Kampen ’80 from the New Jersey Department of Labor, Bergen County One Stop Career Center will present a program on “Job Search Techniques in a Difficult Economic Climate: Utilizing Resources Available Through the NJ Department of Labor.” Join discussions relevant to career searches and transition challenges. This is also an opportunity to consult with Cahill Center career advisors and network with fellow alumni. Refreshments will be served. Please contact Purvi at ext. 7115 or e-mail her at purvi@ramapo.edu to RSVP.
Please send your submissions to: Cindy Burns, D-211 (e-mail: cyburns@ramapo.edu; fax: ext. 7603). All information must be submitted in writing. Please include your name, title, unit and extension.
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