Campus Notes

Manhattan College Graduates Accept Service Opportunities

Five members of Manhattan College’s Class of 2014 have been accepted to serve the Lasallian Volunteers (LVs), Rostro de Cristo, Jesuit Volunteers Corps (JVC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency Corps (FEMA).

The five graduates, who each received bachelor’s degrees this spring, and the organization they are serving, are: Anthony DiCesare, National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)-FEMA program; Tegan Nelson, Rostro de Cristo; Carlos Orbe, LVs in Tulsa, Okla.; Ivy Seraphin, LVs in Racine, Wis.; and Kathleen White, JVC. All four organizations assist people in the United States and abroad.

“We’re proud of all our Manhattan graduates every year, and we have a special spot in our hearts for our students who pursue full-time volunteer programs here or abroad,” said Lois Harr, director of campus ministry and social action at Manhattan College. “The world needs them to share their unique gifts and talents, and they have incorporated ‘faith, service and community’ into their lives in a very deep and meaningful way.”

College of New Rochelle Awarded Con Edison Grant

Con Edison has given The College of New Rochelle a grant of $10,000 to support the college’s Math/Science Living-Learning Community, COSMOS (Creating Opportunities for Success in Math or Science). The grant is enabling COSMOS to fund internship opportunities this summer.

COSMOS gives students enhanced learning experiences and to develop a sense of community beyond the campus. Con Edison began supporting COSMOS at The College of New Rochelle in the 2012-2013 academic year.

COSMOS community members live together in a dedicated wing of Ursula Hall, which has space for science and math equipment, a place for quiet study and a lounge for larger events.

A portion of the COSMOS funding will provide stipends for what otherwise would have been unfunded student internships. “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience the real-world applications of concepts they have studied in school and explore professions they are considering as career options,” said faculty adviser Dr. Faith Kostel-Hughes.

‘Rockland Recycles’ Honor to St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) in Sparkill received the 2014 Rockland Recycles Award, presented by the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority in conjunction with fifth annual Rockland Environmental Day.

“The Rockland Recycles Awards is a way to showcase the commitment and dedication to the environment by these entities,” said Anna Roppolo, executive director of the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority.

Each year the authority recognizes excellence in recycling and/or waste prevention/reduction programs. "The College continues to make efforts to reduce its carbon footprint,” said Sister Margaret Fitzpatrick, S.C., president of STAC. “As an institution, we understand that the sooner we implement strategies to reduce our waste and educate our community on the environmental impacts of doing so, the greater the chance of improving the situation for future generations of students."

St. John’s Names School of Education Dean

St. John’s University appointed Dr. Michael Sampson as dean of its School of Education, effective Aug. 15. He takes the place of Dr. Jerrold Ross, who is retiring this year.

Dr. Sampson had served as dean of the College of Education for Northern Arizona University. He earlier was dean of the School of Education at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Conn.; chair of the Graduate Council in the College of Education at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg; and chair of curriculum and instruction at Texas A&M University. He is the author of 30 children’s books.

In welcoming Dr. Sampson, St. John’s provost, Dr. Robert Mangione, said, “His administration expertise, passion for education, and experience in preparing teachers will help The School of Education continue its long-standing tradition of graduating compassionate educators who can succeed in the workforce.”