College Happenings
Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Forum
A faculty forum on “Teaching the African-American Student: Expectations, Assumptions, Fears and Responsibilities” will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 3:30 p.m., in Hartman Lounge, Hennessy Hall, College at Florham. Panelists will include Monifa Brinson-Mulraine, sociology (Flor); Gary Darden, U.S. history (Flor); Randall Westbrook, education and campus coordinator, community college partnership, Raritan Valley Community College (Flor); and alumnus Donald Mabrey, BA’07 (Metro), U.S. history/physical education, Emily N. Carey School, New York City. Katie Singer, college writing (Flor), is the moderator.
Hot Topics Focuses on Swine Flu
Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences and the College at Florham Student Government Association will present a Hot Topics panel discussion titled “Swine Flu Pandemic: Fact and Fiction,” on Tuesday, November 17, at 7 p.m., in Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall, College at Florham. The discussion will be moderated by Patricia Melloy, cell biology (Flor). Panelists will be Glennena Haynes-Smith, nursing (Metro); June Middleton, biology and chair, biological/allied health sciences (Flor); Jake Krauss, FDU student; and Sunil Sood, clinical pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, N.Y.C., and chief, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, N.Y.
To register or for information, e-mail Madeleine McMahon, administrative assistant, Becton College (Flor), at mmcmahon@fdu.edu.
A discussion in October covered the topic “Domestic Violence and Dating Abuse.” Panelists were Becton College faculty members Monifa Brinson-Mulraine, sociology; Donalee Brown, psychology; and Anthony Tasso, psychology; Janae Sones, FDU student; and Monique Pearlman, coordinator, Dating Abuse Prevention Program, Jersey Battered Women’s Services.
‘Once in a Lifetime’ to Be Staged
The visual and performing arts department presents “Once in a Lifetime,” a comedic satire by George Kaufman and Moss Hart, in Dreyfuss Theater, Dreyfuss Building, College at Florham. Performances will be Wednesday, November 18, through Saturday, November 21, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, November 22, at 2:30 p.m. A special performance for high school students will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 20. The play is directed by James Glossman, associate artistic director, Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, Madison, N.J.
Considered as one of Kaufman and Hart’s best collaborations, “Once in a Lifetime” was inspired by the birth of “talkies,” movies with sound, and deals with the excesses of Hollywood in the golden years of moviemaking. The story revolves around three out-of-work New York stage performers — May, Jerry and George — who head to Hollywood to make their fortune at the onset of talking pictures by teaching silent movie stars how to speak and articulate.
Ticket prices are $5 for students and the FDU community and $10 for all others. Tickets can be booked in advance by calling 973-443-8644 (ext. 4) or purchased at the door. For further information contact Stephen Hollis, theater and director, theater arts (Flor), at 973-443-8467 or hollis@fdu.edu.
In the spring, the musical “Sweet Charity” will be staged from March 31 to April 3, 2010, and from April 9 to 11, 2010, while the play “Whose Life Is It Anyway” will run from May 5 to 9, 2010.
New York Piano Society Concert
A free concert of classical piano music featuring works by Chopin, Mussorgsky, Debussy and Scriabin, presented by Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences and the New York Piano Society, Inc., was held on Sunday, November 8, at the College at Florham.
The next concert will be on Sunday, December 13, at 2 p.m., in Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall, College at Florham. For information about upcoming concerts, go to http://www.newyorkpianosociety.com .
The performers are members of the New York Piano Society — outstanding amateur performers who have established careers in fields other than music. In November, performers included an intercontinental pilot, leading physicians, an international trader and Manhattan real-estate developer, a paralegal, scientists and an executive secretary.
Soprano and composer Valerie Saalbach was the concert’s special guest. She performed her composition, “Settings of Six Poems of Emily Dickinson,” with New York Piano Society member Len Horovitz, a New York City pulmonary specialist and frequent television commentator.
The New York Piano Society, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to discovering and nurturing talented performers whose primary professions lie outside the field of music performance. The society offers recitals, special events with concert artists, workshops and social events. It seeks to foster relationships between non-professional and professional pianists so they can learn from and inspire each other.
We Are Not Afraid
Philip Dray, historian and author of Capital Men, Stealing God’s Thunder and the Pulitzer-Prize nominated At the Hands of Persons Unknown, spoke about “We Are Not Afraid: The American Civil Rights Struggle from Emancipation to Obama” on November 4 at the College at Florham.
Gary Darden, U.S. history (Flor), served as moderator during the event, which was co-sponsored by the Diversity Council, the Dean of Students Office, the Educational Opportunity Fund and the Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences.
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Left photo: Among those who attended a lecture by renowned author and historian Philip Dray are, from left, students Angel Menendez, Mariah Pena and Danielle Cullaris, and David Jones, assistant director, Educational Opportunity Fund (Flor). Center photo: Gary Darden, U.S. history (Flor), moderated the discussion. Right photo: Philip Dray, renowned author and historian, spoke to the group. |
Silberman College of Business
Sustainability to Be Discussed
Two topics on sustainability will be discussed during a breakfast seminar on Friday, November 20, as part of the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise (ISE)/Center for Human Resource Management Studies (CHRMS) Breakfast Seminar Series. The seminar will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. in Hartman Lounge, Hennessy Hall, College at Florham.
The first topic, “Sustainability Analytics: Assessing Environmental and Social Risks and Opportunities in the Food Products Sector,” will be discussed by Allison Hornstein, food and beverage sustainability analyst, RiskMetrics Group, Edison, N.J. The second topic, “Building Sustainability Into the Fabric of Business Strategy,” will be covered by Dave Stangis, vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, Campbell Soup Company, Camden, N.J.
The cost is $40 for the general public, $25 for nonprofit organizations and free for FDU faculty, staff and students and ISE/CHRMS partners. A continental breakfast will be served. Registration is necessary. For registration and information on this seminar and upcoming breakfast seminars call (973) 443-8577 or go to http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=946 .
Transitioning to Green™ Forum
A highly interactive, one-day event with subject-matter experts in sustainability and green jobs will be held on Tuesday, December 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall, College at Florham. “Chart Your World of Possibilities: Transitioning to Green Forum” will feature interactive table exercises as well as sector and function roundtable discussions.
Transitioning to Green™, an organization dedicated to the green transformation, is headed by Jeana Wirtenberg, director of external relations/services, Institute for Sustainable Enterprise (Flor).
The free event is co-sponsored by the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise. Registration is necessary. To register and for information go to http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=5053 or to http://www.TransitioningtoGreen.com .
Anthony J. Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies
Supporting Partner in Grant for Veterans
Kenneth Vehrkens, dean, Petrocelli College (Metro/Flor), has announced that FDU will be a supporting partner in a new grant venture for veterans. The nonprofit organization Women United in Philanthropy has awarded a $70,000 grant to the Women’s Rights Information Center of Englewood, N.J., to pilot an educational program titled, “Project STARS: Successful Transition and Achievement for Returning Servicewomen.” This program was designed to meet community demand by providing training and education for women to ease their reentry into the civilian workforce. The training sessions will take place on FDU’s Metropolitan Campus.
Chris Ellen Cunningham, coordinator, Cyber Crime Training Laboratory (Metro), was instrumental in aligning the grant writers and offering use of FDU’s state-of-the-art computer labs for the specialized training and education for the servicewomen. FDU, a veteran-friendly campus and participant in the Veterans Administration Yellow Ribbon program, is well positioned to provide further educational opportunities for program participants. “The School of Administrative Science looks forward to working in tandem with A.J. Luna, director of veterans services (Metro), in supporting this project,” Vehrkens said.
Also visit in this issue Veterans Initiative Continues http://inside.fdu.edu/otw/0911/veterans.html .
Assemblyman Coutinho Speaks to Latino Promise Students
New Jersey Assemblyman Albert Coutinho shared personal experiences and professional-development advice with FDU’s Latino Promise students on October 28 at the Metropolitan Campus.
A business executive and community advocate, Coutinho is serving his first two-year term representing the 29th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly. The district includes Hillside in Union County and a portion of Newark in Essex County.
Left photo: Kenneth Vehrkens, left, dean, Petrocelli College (Metro/Flor), welcomes New Jersey Assemblyman Albert Coutinho to the Latino Promise Leadership Series.
Right photo: New Jersey Assemblyman Albert Coutinho, second from left, speaks with, from left, Latino Promise student Aleina Jacome; Fernando Alonso, business; director, Puerta al Futuro; and director, Latino Promise Program (Metro); Irene Oujo, Latino transition specialist, Petrocelli College (Metro); and Latino Promise student Derrick Valerio.
Coutinho’s visit was part of the Latino Promise’s Leadership Series, where students have the opportunity to meet today’s Hispanic entrepreneurs and public servants and discuss with them the realities of being a Latino leader. Previous speakers in this series have hailed from the business, legal, medical and political fields.
“Through the Latino Leadership lecture series, students are able to identify the growing Latino influence in the U.S.,” says Fernando Alonso, business; director, Puerta al Futuro; and director, Latino Promise Program (Metro). “This series has made an immeasurable impact on their lives and the way in which they view their roles, serving not just the Latino community, but also all of New Jersey.”
For more information about the Latino Promise Program, contact Irene Oujo, Latino transition specialist, Petrocelli College (Metro), at (201) 692-2676 or oujo@fdu.edu.
ISHTM and CCM Signs Agreement
The International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (ISHTM) led by Richard Wisch, hotel/restaurant/tourism management and associate dean/director, hospitality/tourism management (Metro/Flor), and Kenneth Vehrkens, dean, Petrocelli College (Metro/Flor), signed an articulation agreement with the County College of Morris (CCM), Randolph, N.J., continuing their Burgundy and Blue relationship. Under the agreement, CCM students can transfer 64 credits toward a BS degree with a specialization in hospitality at FDU.
University College: Arts • Sciences • Professional Studies
Knightscapes Decemberfest
The Knightscapes literary magazine’s fall 2009 issue — featuring works by FDU staff and students — will be unveiled on Thursday, December 3, at 8 p.m., in the Metropolitan Club, Alumni Hall, Metropolitan Campus, as part of Knightscapes Decemberfest.
This year’s guest speaker, Susan Beth Pfeffer, has won numerous awards and citations for her work, which range from picture books to middle-grade and young-adult novels, and include both contemporary and historical fiction. Among her award-winning books are About David (South Carolina Young Adult Book Award); The Year Without Michael (ALA Best Book for Young Adults, South Carolina Young Adult Book Award and named by the American Library Association [ALA] as one of the 100 Best Books for Teenagers written between 1968–1993); and Life As We Knew It (One Book New Jersey 2009 Teen Selection and 2009 Garden State Teen Book Award winner).
Knightscapes Decemberfest will also have readings by and discussions with FDU staff and student contributors, free print editions and a special raffle. Admission is free. For information about the event e-mail knightscapes54@gmail.com or ccharuk@student.fdu.edu. Kerri Majors, English composition (Metro), is Knightscapes faculty adviser.
‘Skull’ Art Exhibit
A group art exhibit and slideshow presentation of skulls as a subject throughout art history is being held through Friday, December 4, in the University College Art Gallery, Room 11, University Hall, Metropolitan Campus. “Skull” features drawings, paintings, photography and sculpture of various artists. Jacqueline Lima, University College (Metro), is exhibiting some of her work and is the exhibit’s curator.
Gallery hours are Monday to Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information call (201) 692-2801 or go to http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=5884 .
Wroxton College
This semester, students at Wroxton College are going on trips to historical sites in England and Scotland, participating in college events, attending theater performances and listening to lectures from several visiting speakers.
Students traveled to London, where they visited the historic Waddesdon Manor and Upton House; went on a tour of the Shakespeare Trust Properties in Stratford-upon-Avon; and watched a soccer match between Aston Villa and Portsmouth. In France, they visited World War I battle sites, cemeteries and memorials and Paris. They also went to Westonbirt, National Arboretum, and to the Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire. They will visit Edinburgh, Scotland, and Warwick Castle. Students also will participate in a Thanksgiving dinner and dance, a photographic competition, talent show, barbecue and Christmas-tree decoration.
Ten drama and theater-arts productions that were viewed included “Twelfth Night,” performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon; “The Miser,” at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester; “The Hypochondriac” at the Theatre Royal in Brighton; “Punk Rock” at the Lyric in Hammersmith; “Mixed Up North” at the Curve in Leicester; “Dreams of Violence at the Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre; the opera “Madam Butterfly” at the New Theatre in Oxford; a ballet performance of “Cyrano” at the Birmingham Hippodrome; “Blood Brothers” at the Birmingham Hippodrome; and “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre in London.
Among the 14 visiting guests who spoke at Wroxton College this semester were: Baroness Jay of Paddington, a member of the House of Lords; Lord Norton of Louth, chair of the Constitution Committee of the House of Lords; Michael Cockerell, political commentator, journalist and documentary filmmaker; Paul Edwards, architectural and horticultural historian; Michael Rush, emeritus, politics, University of Exeter; Robert Borthwick, University of Leicester; and Lord Morgan, historian and member of the House of Lords.
