A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND • FALL 2013

Dolphin Cove OpensMeet CSI’s New Residents

Academic RenovationsNew Schools of Business and Education

ALUMNI PROFILE

VP, Global Technology

Infrastructure,Latin America &

Canada Operations, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Thomas Chin ’80

Three CSI FacultyAre Recipients ofPrestigious NationalScience FoundationCAREER Awards

There are a number of ways to support the College of Staten Island as it strives to provide its students with the resources they need to findsuccessful careers and effect positive change in our community and our world, and its faculty with the research opportunities to enlightenand find the answers to our most pressing problems.

An estate gift is one easy way to ensure that your generosity will resonate for generations to come.

Dr. Ken Boyden, Esq., CSI Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs, will be happy to explain how you can providesupport to CSI, in perpetuity, through an estate bequest.

You may call him at 718.982.2365 or reach him via email at kenneth.boyden@csi.cuny.edu.

The College of Staten Island is accelerating its efforts to protect the environment and develop sustainable and responsiblepatterns of development in accordance with the CUNY’s University Sustainability Council, which is committed to reducinggreenhouse gas emissions from all campus buildings by 30 percent over the next decade. If you would prefer to receive anelectronic version of this publication or future editions via email instead of a hard copy, please contact the Alumni RelationsOffice at alumni@csi.cuny.edu.

A GIFT OF A LIFETIME (AND BEYOND)

FEATURED ARTICLES

FACULTY FOCUS:CSI: Where Discoveries BeginPage 3

Two New Schools Change theAcademic LandscapePage 6

Meet Dolphin Cove’s New Residents Page 8

Twelfth Annual UndergraduateResearch ConferenceShowcases Student TalentsPage 10

DEPARTMENTS

Faculty FocusPage 3

Around CampusPage 12

Alumni NewsPage 15

Keeping TabsPage 18

Legacy SocietyPage 19

EventsPage 20

Club NewsPage 22

Scholarly AchievementsPage 23

Foundation NotesPage 24

Sports Highlights Page 26

Featured Alumnus: Thomas Chin ’80Page 29

Volume 4, Number 2Fall 2013

EYE ON CSIis Online

csitoday.com/publications

Please let us know your thoughtsat alumni@csi.cuny.edu regardingEye on CSI.

Undergraduate Conference on Research, Scholarship, and Performance, page 10

COVER STORY

CSI: Where Discoveries Begin

Page 3

William J. Fritz, PhDInterim President

Ken Boyden, JD, EdDVice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs

Enrica ChrétienDirector of Development

Jennifer TowlesDirector of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Jennifer LynchAssociate Director of Annual Giving

Donna GaramboneAlumni Affairs Coordinator

Ken BachDirector of Communications and Marketing

Terry Mares Chief Editor and Writer

Janice AwerbuchDirector of Design Services

Anita MrozinskiArt Director

Andrew FinnelBarbara LeskowiczAnn RodbergGraphic Designers

Carlo AlaimoDonna GaramboneJennifer LynchTerry Mares David PizzutoStaff Writers

Vinnie AmesséPaul CaminitiBill HigginsRobert King KeePhotographers Additional photos by CSI Sports Information

CSI Alumni AssociationBoard of DirectorsExecutive Committee, 2013 - 2015

Arthur Merola, DPM ’84, ’85President

Theresa Marro ’89 Vice President

Phyllis Minacapilli ’91Treasurer

Linda Dianto ’74Assistant Treasurer

Marietta DeLuca ’74, ’85Recording Secretary

James Raggi ’70Corresponding Secretary

Created and produced by the Office of Design Services.

Eye on CSI is a publication of the College of Staten Island,provided to alumni and friends of the College of StatenIsland and its predecessor institutions, Staten IslandCommunity College and Richmond College.

It is the policy of The City University of New York and theconstituent colleges and units of The University to recruit,employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employeesand to admit and provide services for students withoutregard to race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity,ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, genderidentity, marital status, legally registered domesticpartnership status, disability, predisposing geneticcharacteristics, alienage, citizenship, military or veteranstatus, or status as a victim of domestic violence. Sexualharassment, a form of sex discrimination, is prohibitedunder the University’s Policy Against Sexual Harassment.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or informationfor “Keeping Tabs,” please contact the Office of AlumniRelations at 718.982.2290, alumni@csi.cuny.edu, or2800 Victory Boulevard, Building 1A, Room 111, StatenIsland, NY 10314.

Dear Friends,

The CSI campus continues its dynamic and evolving nature sinceadmitting its inaugural class in 1993. Dolphin Cove, CSI’s first-everresidence halls—a 454-bed capacity, state-of-the-art facility, openedits doors August 2013 to its first residents. To welcome the studentsand their families into the CSI family, I was delighted to makehomemade waffles for all. Our entire campus community looksforward to supporting our students’ educational and personal goals.

As part of the College’s academic restructuring, the CUNY Board of Trustees, at its June meeting,approved the creation of two new schools: a School of Business and a School of Education. The School ofBusiness will have four departments: Department of Accounting and Finance, Department of Economics,Department of Management, and Department of Marketing. The former Department of Political Science,Economics, and Philosophy divided into three departments: a Department of Philosophy; a Department ofPolitical Science and Global Affairs (both of which will remain in the Division of Humanities and SocialSciences); and a Department of Economics.

I have appointed Dr. Susan L. Holak, who formerly served as the Associate Provost for InstitutionalEffectiveness since 2009, as Interim Founding Dean of the newly created School of Business, and Dr.Kenneth Gold as Interim Founding Dean of the newly created School of Education. Dr. Gold hadserved as the Chair of the Education Department from 2007 to 2010.

Furthermore, three of our outstanding faculty have received the prestigious National Science FoundationEarly Faculty Development CAREER Award, the most sought-after recognition that a new facultymember can receive:• Dr. Dan McCloskey, Psychology, examines animal social behavior and hippocampal neuron activity.• Dr. Vadim Oganesyan, Engineering Science and Physics, seeks a greater understanding of the

electronic properties of various materials. • Dr. Sebastien Poget, Chemistry, researches the interaction of snake toxins with several ion channels to

better understand channel structure and function.

In addition, thanks to the extraordinary expertise of our Physical Therapy faculty, New York Statenamed CSI a doctoral-degree-granting institution in February 2013. As a result, CSI will soon conferthe Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy.

Congratulations to all for advancing the Vision, Values, and Fundamental Principles of our institution.

Best wishes,

William J. Fritz, PhDInterim President

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

EYE ON CSI CSI: WHERE DISCOVERIES BEGIN PAGE 3

FACULTY FOCUS:

CSI: WHERE DISCOVERIES BEGINCelebrates Its Three NSF Career Award RecipientsFaculty members at the College of StatenIsland are continually gaining recognitionfor their myriad contributions to academiaand education, making the College a risingstar in The City University of New York.Over the past three years, CSI has earnedanother distinguished designation, aninstitution with three faculty members whohave received CAREER Awards from theNational Science Foundation (NSF).

The NSF’s Faculty Early CareerDevelopment (CAREER) Program is one of

the Foundation's most prestigious awards,supporting junior faculty members whodemonstrate their prowess as exemplaryteacher-scholars through exceptionalresearch, outstanding education, and theeffective combination of education andresearch within the parameters of themission of their organizations. The programprovides stable and sufficient support toprovide awardees with the ability to developcareers as excellent educators andresearchers, who effectively integratelearning, teaching, and discovery.

The College’s three CAREER awardees areDr. Dan McCloskey, Psychology; Dr. VadimOganesyan, Engineering Science andPhysics; and Dr. Sebastien Poget,Chemistry. Eye on CSI had the opportunityto speak with them to learn more about theirresearch and how they feel about havingreceived this honor.

L-R: Dr. Vadim Oganesyan, Dr. Dan McCloskey, and Dr. Sebastien Poget

Dr. DAN McCLOSKEY

Although he first set foot on the CSI campusin 2002 while he was working on his doctoralthesis, Dr. McCloskey joined the CSI facultyin 2007 as an Assistant Professor. Discussinghis area of expertise, he states, “I study howgroups of brain cells coordinate to producebehaviors. Sometimes those behaviors arebeneficial, such as learning and memory, andother times they are detrimental, such asepileptic seizures. There are similarities inhow the brain processes both.”

Dr. McCloskey notes that his NSFCAREER Award is for research that is“looking at how brain cells coordinate on twolevels. The first is actually looking at groupsof brain cells across an entire circuit, calledthe hippocampus, and determining whethera hormone called oxytocin increases theircoordination. The second is looking atgroups of animals and determining whetherthe same hormone coordinates their socialbehavior. Both approaches use a truly uniqueanimal, the naked mole-rat, which is a highlysocial small rodent with some pretty amazingbrain cells.”

According to Dr. McCloskey, his research isgoing smoothly as a result of being at CSI. “Iam fortunate to have outstanding highschool, undergraduate, master's, and PhDstudents working in the lab who allow me toteach and do research at the same time. Theyare the ones who are making the progress…In addition, CSI has some resources that weutilize that make the work possible. There arefour top-notch facilities with outstandingstaff that make our research go: the animalfacility, advanced imaging facility, theCUNY High-Performance ComputingCenter, and the Center for DevelopmentalNeuroscience. They are all critical to thesuccess of our research, and I am trulygrateful to have access to them.”

As for his team’s progress, Dr. McCloskeyreports that “we have made great advances intracking animal movements and interactionsto study social behavior, and have developednew approaches to analyze the activity of

large groups of brain cells. Soon, we will besharing some of these data, in real time,through Web resources and social media.”

Dr. VADIM OGANESYAN

Originally from Baku, Azerbaijan, Dr.Oganesyan has been a member of the CSI faculty since 2008, when he began as anAssistant Professor. He notes that his specialtyarea is “theoretical condensed matter physics.I study collective quantum physics of matter,often new and technologically promisingmaterials and devices.”

As for the research that he is undertakingwith the NSF CAREER grant, he explains,“The research program aims to developtools for understanding interestingdynamical phenomena in condensed matter(solids, liquids, gases). Some of theseprojects may find applications in materialscience and quantum device engineering,but they are mostly motivated by basicphysics. This is a five-year grant…longer induration than a typical NSF grant of two tothree years.”

In discussing his progress, so far, Dr.Oganesyan states that “the proposalconsisted of three essentially independentparts—unusual metallic behavior ofmaterials, so called "bad metals" (whichhappen to include compounds of interest,e.g., superconductors with a high transitiontemperature), many-body localization, andtransient dynamics of highly coherentexcitations in solids. The originally intendeddirection for Part 1 has not been pursued,largely because other related projects,including one in collaboration with BrooklynCollege experimental physicist Greg Boutis,took precedence. The other two parts are

moving along rather nicely, with variouspublications either out or underway. Muchof this work is theoretical and/or simulationbased. Connecting it to existing experimentsor stimulating new ones is part of the effortin the coming year.”

Although he has been conducting much ofthis research away from the CSI campus, Dr.Oganesyan states that “CSI is an excitingcampus of CUNY with many new promisingdevelopments, as far as the level of researchactivity, recent faculty hires, and build-up ofcomputational facilities.”

“The research program aims to develop tools for understandinginteresting dynamical phenomena in condensed matter (solids, liquids, gases).”

DR. VADIM OGANESYAN

Dr. SEBASTIEN POGET

Dr. Poget joined the CSI faculty in thespring of 2009 as an Assistant Professor. Hisareas of expertise are protein chemistry,biophysics, and structural biology.

In describing his (five-year) NSF CAREERAward research, he explains, “Potassiumchannels are large protein molecules that sitin the cell membrane of nerve cells (andmany other cell types). They facilitate theflow of the electrical signals in our body thatensure communication to and within thebrain. Many animal venoms containmolecules that prevent the flow of theseelectric nerve signals by disrupting thenormal function of potassium channels. Ourresearch project focuses on a specific

component from the venom of the easterngreen mamba snake, which increases theactivity of potassium channels. This is a veryunusual effect for a toxin, most of whichblock the channels, and has therefore caughtour attention. We are using differentbiophysical techniques to understand howexactly this toxin exerts its activatingfunction. In particular, we are using nuclearmagnetic resonance spectroscopy, atechnique that is related to MRI but allowsus to observe structural information forindividual atoms in the channel and toxinmolecules. We expect to derive a detailedunderstanding of how potassium channelfunction can be modulated from this project,which can later serve as the basis for thedesign of drugs against such diseases asepilepsy and fatal cardiac arrhythmias.”

Dr. Poget notes a number of benefits ofconducting his research at CSI and CUNY.“The availability of state-of-the-artequipment here at CSI and at other CUNYcampuses and New York City researchinstitutions is an essential factor in being ableto carry out our experiments. Also, thepresence of talented and motivatedundergraduate and graduate students whochoose to participate in this research is avery important component of the research.Lastly, the support of and discussions with

great colleagues throughout CSI havesignificantly contributed to the developmentof my own research program.”

So far, according to Dr. Poget, thepreliminary phase of the research isprogressing smoothly. “The research teamthat will work on this project has been mostlyassembled. Protocols have been establishedto obtain the snake toxin usingbiotechnological methods (as opposed toisolating it from crude snake venom), and anideal system for studying the interactionsbetween the toxin and channel is beingestablished.”

EYE ON CSI CSI: WHERE DISCOVERIES BEGIN PAGE 5

“Our research project focuses on a specific component from thevenom of the eastern green mamba snake, which increases theactivity of potassium channels.”

DR. SEBASTIEN POGET

“We have made great advances in tracking animal movements andinteractions to study social behavior, and have developed newapproaches to analyze the activity of large groups of brain cells.”

DR. DAN MCCLOSKEY

The College of Staten Island is charting anaccelerated course of transformation underits new Strategic Plan, Many Voices, OneVision, and its new Facilities Master Plan. Inregard to the latter document, our 204-acrecampus has incorporated brand-newresidence halls for our students and iscurrently undertaking the completion of anew building to house the CUNYInterdisciplinary High-PerformanceComputing Center.

Besides physical construction, CSI is alsoconducting academic construction, under itsStrategic Plan, with the creation of newschools within the College, the first beingthe School of Business and the School ofEducation. Other schools, including one forhealth-related disciplines, are forthcoming.

School of Business

The School of Business at CSI will beheaded by Interim Founding Dean Dr.Susan L. Holak.

Commenting on the importance of the newSchool for the College and its students, Dr.Holak states that “The formation of theSchool of Business sets a new paradigm forthe College. With a more defineddepartment structure, faculty will be betterable to keep pace with dynamic changes inbusiness and economics disciplines, moreeffectively serve the approximately 2,400students enrolled in business and economicsmajors, and maintain connections withalumni. The College will also be poised to

pursue accreditation by the Association toAdvance Collegiate Schools of Business(AACSB).”

Committed to its mission of offering rigorousbusiness education that fosters intellectualgrowth and career advancement for studentsof diverse academic and cultural backgrounds,the School offers a wide array of programswith specializations in Accounting,Economics, Finance, Management,Marketing, and International Business.Degrees awarded include the Bachelor ofScience in Business, the Bachelor of Science inAccounting, the Bachelor of Science inEconomics, the Bachelor of Arts inEconomics, the Master of Science in BusinessManagement, and the Master of Science inAccounting.

While newly formed, the School of Businesshas historical roots spanning more than fourdecades, as the College has evolved and maturedinto a comprehensive institution of The CityUniversity of New York. With an alumni basedating back to 1959, the School of Business hasa strong and growing network of professionalswho have taken their place as leaders inprestigious organizations that includeCitiGroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank,Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch,Morgan Stanley, New York Life Insurance,Ogilvy Worldwide, PricewaterhouseCoopers,United States Trust Corporation, andVanguard Capital; as entrepreneurs; ingovernment and non-profit sectors; and ascareer resources for current students.

To complement its students’ classroomexperience, the School of Business offersleadership opportunities in career-orientedclubs and societies, and internationalexperience through the School’s currentpartnerships with the Institut de Préparationà l'Administration et à la Gestion - IPAG(France), the Dublin Institute of Technology(Ireland), and the University of Canberra(Australia). New international collaborationsare developing, and closer to home, ourstudents have the opportunity to interactwith the Borough’s New York State SmallBusiness Development Center (SBDC),housed in the School of Business.

The School of Business at CSI is proud ofits full-time and adjunct faculty, whodemonstrate a commitment and dedicationto rigorous instruction, innovative pedagogy,and mentoring. Faculty members haveearned distinction in their academicdisciplines and have gained recognition asFulbright Scholars, National ScienceFoundation grant recipients, NationalEndowment for the Humanities grantrecipients, and National Academy ofSciences expert panel members. They holdpositions on journal editorial boards; occupyleadership roles in professionalorganizations; and consult to federal, state,and local governmental agencies.

Dr. Holak has been a member of the Collegeof Staten Island faculty and has served incampus leadership positions, such asDirector of the William E. Macaulay Honors

ACADEMIC LANDSCAPETwo New Schools Change the

EYE ON CSI TWO NEW SCHOOLS CHANGE THE ACADEMIC LANDSCAPE PAGE 7

College of CUNY at the College of StatenIsland, and most recently as AssociateProvost for Institutional Effectiveness. Inthat role, she recently directed the College’ssuccessful decennial Middle Statesreaccreditation process.

Dr. Holak earned a BS in Economics fromthe Wharton School of the University ofPennsylvania, where she graduated magnacum laude and was named to Beta GammaSigma, the business honorary society. Shereceived her MPhil and PhD degrees inBusiness from Columbia University. AsProfessor of Marketing, her research interestsinclude new product development, consumerbehavior, and cross-cultural marketing.

School of Education

The College’s new School of Education willbe led by Interim Founding Dean Dr.Kenneth M. Gold.

Discussing the significance of the newSchool, Dr. Gold noted, “As a School ofEducation, we can offer the same high-quality instruction for teachers and schoolleaders while expanding our program andextending our reach into local schools,policy discussions at the city and state levels,and research areas of national andinternational significance.”

Restructuring the Education Department asa School of Education with two initialacademic departments (Curriculum andInstruction, Educational Studies) will enablethe College to broaden and deepen its workin teacher preparation and educationalresearch. More precisely, the School willlocate new funding sources, draw a greaterallocation of resources from existing revenuesources, establish new partnerships withStaten Island schools, improve organizationfor assessment and reaccreditation fromrelevant national associations, provide anapparatus by which new programs may bemore easily created and guided through acomplex approval process, and make theCollege more central in discussions ofeducation policy within CUNY, New York,and the nation.

The School of Education will continue thework of the College’s nationally accreditedprograms in teacher education, which arecommitted to the development of intellectualautonomy and professional responsibility instudents of diverse academic and culturalbackgrounds. The School will continue tooffer a wide array of programs, includingearly childhood, childhood, and adolescenceeducation at the undergraduate level, andchildhood, adolescence, and specialeducation at the graduate level. It will retainprograms for a certificate in Autism and asixth-year professional certificate in SchoolLeadership at the school and district levels. Itwill continue to work closely with faculty inthe arts and sciences to ensure the successof programs like the Teacher EducationHonors Academy.

CSI has nearly 700 of its graduates since2005 teaching in Staten Island publicschools today, more than 500 others foundin positions elsewhere in the city.

The School of Education at the College ofStaten Island is home to an esteemedfaculty, who collectively has authored

groundbreaking monographs, best-sellingtextbooks, and scholarly articles in leadingjournals in their fields of expertise. Facultymembers serve on the boards of prestigiousacademic associations, present papers atleading national conferences, and engage inthe public discourse on leading educationalissues of our day.

Dr. Gold has been a member of the CSIfaculty since 1995 and has previously servedas Deputy Chairperson of the EducationDepartment, Chairperson of the EducationDepartment, member of the InstitutionalPlanning Committee, and most recently asVice Chair of the College Council. AsChairperson, he oversaw the Department’ssuccessful 2010 reaccreditation by theNational Council for the Assessment ofTeacher Education (NCATE).

Dr. Gold earned a BA in History fromPrinceton University, where he graduatedcum laude. He received his MA and PhDdegrees in History from the University ofMichigan. His specialization is in the historyof American education.

Interim Founding Dean Dr. Susan L. Holak

Interim Founding Dean Dr. Kenneth M. Gold

MEET DOLPHIN COVE’S

JUSTIN ORTIZ Freshman/Music from the Bronx

“I thought it would be a new experienceliving on my own. I’m a little nervous, but Ijust have to go with it and try new things.”

DIAMALATOU ZIALLO Freshman/Nursing born in Brooklyn, but herparents are from Ghana

She moved to Dolphin Cove because “Thedorms are new. I like new stuff.”

She wants to learn “how to be on my ownand learn my own responsibilities.”

MARISA TOTH Freshman/Computer Science from SI

“I think it would be a good experience to behome away from home and have morefreedom to do certain things.

“I hope to meet a lot of great people andlearn a lot.”

Justin Ortiz [L] with his mother, Dawn Diamalatou Ziallo [R] with most of her family Marisa Toth

Residence hall helpers (with the CSI Dolphin) are ready to help the new tenants move in.

The new residents check in prior to their first view of their new dorms.

Interim President Dr. William J. Fritz (right) and his wife Dr. Bonnie Fritz add a personal touchto move-in day by serving waffles.

The months and planning and construction paid off on August 25 as the College ofStaten Island welcomed its first-ever student residents to Dolphin Cove, the College’snew 454-bed residence halls. Students from as close as ten minutes away on StatenIsland to as far away as France and Australia arrived on campus on a beautiful sunnyday that was perfect for moving in and beginning a new life on the CSI campus. CSIInterim President Dr. William J. Fritz, and his wife, Dr. Bonnie Fritz, were busy workingbehind antique waffle irons, treating the students to a homemade breakfast.

Although the obvious reason for many who were coming to Dolphin Cove was toforego a long and difficult commute to campus, Eye on CSI had the opportunity tospeak with some of these students as they lugged their belongings, and parents andsiblings, behind them, to get a better understanding of who they are, where theycome from, and what they hope to take away from the Dolphin Cove experience.

EYE ON CSI MEET DOLPHIN COVE’S NEW RESIDENTS PAGE 9

NEW RESIDENTS

REBECCA JOSEPH Freshman/Cinema Studies from Brooklyn

“I want to be closer to classes so I’m not latebecause it’s very important for me to be ontime. I’ve never been in this borough, so if Istay here, I would be able to commute toother places on Staten Island.”

She hopes to get “a better experience ofindependence” at Dolphin Cove.

JESSICA NOWACK Freshman/Business/Marketing from Mystic, CT

“I was really impressed with how the dormswere going to look and the way things were run,so I figured it would be a nice place to live.”

She says that she’s looking for “the typicalcollege experience, living on her own.”

LAUREN SCIORCINOSophomore Early Childhood Ed. with Psychminor from Franklin Square, LI

She is moving into Dolphin Cove “for the fullcollege experience. I graduated from NassauCommunity College and did my two years, soI figured that I’d do something different now.”

She hopes to make “memories and friends.”

LENA APOSTOL Sophomore/Biochemistry major with Geologyminor for Secondary Ed. from SI

“I really want to try to live on my own, but I reallydon’t know how to live on my own—this iskind of in the middle for me—so I can get thefull experience, but not burn the house down.”

Rebecca Joseph Lauren Sciorcino [L] and Lena Apostol [R] Jessica Nowack [L] with her mother and boyfriend

The College of Staten Island gave theCollege and Staten Island communities theopportunity to experience the rich anddiverse talents of its students, last spring, atthe 12th Annual Undergraduate Conferenceon Research, Scholarship, and Performance,held in the Center for the Arts.

With an emphasis on collaboration betweenstudents and talented and dedicated facultymentors, the Conference showcased 96research posters, seven oral presentations,and six panel discussions, as well asperformances from 83 Music and Dancestudents, and works by 33 students of theVisual Arts.

When asked how they felt about the chanceto participate in this year’s Conference,students were positive, but they emphasizeda variety of points.

Some students, like Katherine Brigandi, agraduating Accounting/Finance/Economicsmajor whose poster was entitled,“Estimating the Financial Impact ofSuperstorm Sandy on the Regional HousingStock—New York and New Jersey,”emphasized the importance of studentsbeing able to view each other’s work. “I waswalking around and looking at all thedifferent research that I wasn’t aware thatstudents were doing…I think it’s a very goodevent and it’s good to promote all thestudent research.”

William Alesi, a Macaulay Honors Collegestudent with a triple major in English,Political Science, and Philosophy, whopresented, “War, Drugs, and Human Rightsin Columbia,” expressed a similar opinion.Of the participants, he stated “They’re allobviously very intelligent people. They have

TWELFTH ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCESHOWCASES STUDENT TALENTS

EYE ON CSI TWELFTH ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCE SHOWCASES STUDENT TALENTS PAGE 11

research and I think that a lot of this can beimplemented in the real world.”

Other students, like graduating seniorHistory major Marwa Janini, whose posterwas “Reviving Identity: How the LivingConditions of Refugee Camps in LebanonReinforce Palestinian Nationalism,” hopedto inform others about their research. “I feelgreat presenting my research for the firsttime to an audience that maybe doesn’tknow what’s going on,” she noted.

There were also students who felt as if they had grown academically as a result ofthe Conference.

“To me, my role in this project, to representthis as an undergrad student, is really great

because since last year, I have progressed somuch. Last year, I had no publications…buttoday I feel that I can speak on this[research] with confidence….,” saidgraduating senior Clinical LaboratoryScience major Anita Mata, who presented“Formulation and Characterization of aCurcumin-based Cream for the Treatmentof HPV-mediated Cervical Cancer.”

Junior Political Science major MatthiewPalliant, whose poster was entitled “ANation Divided: Haiti and the DominicanRepublic,” also emphasized the impact ofthe Conference on his “major and intendedcareer. I know that I’m going to have topresent and speak publically and becomfortable doing that. So, I’m very grateful to have that opportunity as a part of this Conference.”

The Conference began in the morning witha well-attended chamber music recital thatshowcased some of the exceptional talents ofthe College's Music students.

The afternoon started with paneldiscussions and paper presentations and aPlenary Session that included remarks fromInterim President Dr. William J. Fritz andInterim Provost/Senior Vice President forAcademic Affairs Dr. Fred Naider. In hisremarks, Dr. Fritz emphasized theimportance of having an excellent mentor,citing the examples of both Charles Darwinand his own studies, where a mentor had aprofound, positive effect. Dr. Fritz thenfocused on the Conference, saying, "This[Conference] gives our students the edge in

getting into graduate and professionalprograms and jobs." That edge, according toDr. Fritz, resulted in a CSI graduate beingaccepted to Harvard, another CSI studentwinning a prestigious GoldwaterScholarship, and a recent Chemistrygraduate being accepted to six of the topdoctoral programs in the nation.

The Plenary Session concluded withelectrifying performances from CSI Dancestudents and the CSI Gospel Choir.

For the remainder of the Conference,attendees were free to explore the posterpresentations in the Atrium and East andWest lounges, with the chance to engage theCollege's student researchers about theirwork. In addition, there were more paperpresentations, another session with the CSIGospel Choir, art exhibits from both Spring

Group Art and Sculpture students, andanother opportunity to experience CSI'sDance students. The Conference concludedwith an exciting concert by the CSI BigBand and Jazz Repertory Combo, led byProfessor Michael Morreale.

This year, CSI Undergraduate ResearchAwards supported 20 of the Conference'sresearch projects. The Conference wassponsored by the CSI Division of AcademicAffairs, with funding from the CSI Office ofAlumni Relations.

With an emphasis on collaboration between students andtalented and dedicated faculty mentors, the Conferenceshowcased 96 research posters, seven oral presentations, andsix panel discussions, as well as performances from 83 Music andDance students, and works by 33 students of the Visual Arts.

AROUND CAMPUS

A Simulation Lab for the Education ofNurses in the Care of Older Adults wasrecently inaugurated last semester with aribbon-cutting ceremony in Marcus Hall,home of the CSI Department of Nursing.

The lab, funded by the Brooklyn Home ForAged Men, is a state-of-the art facility wherenursing students can learn about geriatrichome care without ever leaving the CSIcampus. It is a self-contained lab thatcompletely simulates a room in a nursing

home or the home of a potential patient. It isfully furnished with a bed, lavatory, andmannequin, as well as top-of-the-linenursing equipment—anything that apractitioner may have in a real-life situation.The room is even furnished with a two-waymirror and video-recording equipment sothe nursing students can receive immediatefeedback from their instructors.

“The Simulation Lab will help keep CSI as aleader in nursing education and will benefitgenerations of residents of the Island and theentire region,” said CSI Interim PresidentDr. William J. Fritz in his welcoming remarks.

The construction of the lab was madepossible by a grant of $100,000 from theBrooklyn Home For Aged Men, representedat the ribbon cutting by George Schaefer,Gerard Bruno, and Erika Hellstrom. Theywere joined by Interim President Fritz,Interim Provost and Senior Vice Presidentfor Academic Affairs Dr. Fred Naider, Chair

of the CSI Nursing Department Dr. MaryO’Donnell, and other College representatives.

Nora Maloney, a Lecturer for the NursingDepartment, guided attendees on a tour ofthe lab and discussed the importance ofsuch a facility. “Most elderly patients arechoosing to stay in their homes,” she toldattendees. “Students will learn how to carefor patients as well as monitor their dailyneeds; this is very important,” she stressed.“Many illnesses elderly patients have need tobe monitored very closely.”

The Brooklyn Home For Aged Men hassupported CSI’s Nursing program withseveral grants. This financial dedication wasechoed by George Schaefer in his remarks.“The best part of this facility is not theequipment we see here. The best part is thededicated faculty who will be teaching here.I have seen the instructors and professors atwork: for them, this is more than a job…it isa calling.”

Nursing Sim Lab Advances Elder Care for CSI Nursing Students

CSI Honors Students Take Center StageThe College of Staten Island honored 485 ofits top students at the Sixth Annual HonorsConvocation last spring, and featuredChristina Terracino, BA, English, as the2013 CSI Salutatorian.

After Vice President for Student Affairs Dr.A. Ramona Brown welcomed the honorsstudents and their friends and families, andHonoree Samantha Frank sang the NationalAnthem, Interim President Dr. William J.Fritz offered the day’s greetings.

In his remarks, Dr. Fritz asked the honorsgraduates to recognize “your family, friends,and other loved ones here today” for providingthe students with “invaluable support incoping with the many personal demands andchallenges you faced. And our outstandingfaculty and staff have taught, mentored, assisted,and inspired you to reach the heights ofexcellence that we honor here tonight.”

Dr. Fritz also quoted last year’s Salutatorian,

Daniel Feldman, who referred to a termcoined by Pauline and Suzanne Imes in1978 called the Imposter Syndrome, aphenomenon in which people are unable tobelieve that they deserve the success theyachieve. “Dan went on to explain that manysuccessful people suffer from this syndrome,many of them most likely in attendance atthe Honors Convocation, but,” Dr. Fritzconcluded, “they should all be viewing theawards ceremony as proof that you are notan imposter…your attendance here is atestament to your success.”

Christina Terracino, the 2013 CSI Salutatorianand graduate of The Verrazano School HonorsProgram, then discussed the growth that shehas experienced at CSI, referencing thenovel Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë’s “journeyof maturation, self-discovery, and increasingconfidence.” During her address, she spokeabout how “English literature has alwaysbeen my passion and I discovered that, early

on in my college career, it helped meunderstand multiple perspectives, a skill thatis truly remarkable.” She also encouragedher fellow honors recipients to “follow yourown path” and said “I am confident you willall reach the aims you are reaching for.”

Vice President Brown then presented theStudent Dolphin Award to Elizabeth Che, whoalso received the Student Government ServiceAward and a first-place award at the NationalCollegiate Honors Council Conference.

Christina Terracino delivers the Salutatorian address.

The College of Staten Island wasofficially registered as a Doctoral-degree-granting institution in NewYork State on February 5, whenGovernor Andrew M. Cuomoapproved the amendment to thelong-range Master Plan of TheCity University of New York(CUNY). The completion of thethree-year process from proposalto signature now allows CSI tojoin the ranks of Hunter andCity colleges as the only CUNYcampuses other than TheGraduate Center to conferdoctoral degrees on their students.

Since 2006, students who werestudying for their Doctorate ofPhysical Therapy (DPT) at CSIwere officially earning theirdegrees from The GraduateCenter, CUNY. As of September2014, when the first DPTcohort at CSI enrolls, studentswill study and receive theirdegrees solely from CSI.

“This is a momentous occasionfor the College of Staten Island,with profound implications for thefuture,” commented Dr. WilliamJ. Fritz, Interim President of CSI.

“I am very proud of the academicexcellence of CSI and gratified bythe confidence placed in the futureof the College and the Universityby Governor Andrew Cuomo.”

“The College of Staten Islandbeing awarded doctoral-grantingstatus speaks volumes to theacademic rigor of our curriculumand the expertise of our faculty,”commented Dr. Fred Naider,Interim Provost and Senior VicePresident for Academic Affairs.

Dr. Alex Chigogidze, Dean ofScience and Technology andProfessor of Mathematics at CSI,stated, “I cannot overstate thesignificance of this achievement…This means that the College cangrant doctoral degrees not onlyin Physical Therapy, but in otherfields as well. We are now the onlysenior college within CUNY thatoffers a truly full spectrum ofcourses and programs, spanningfrom college-readiness coursesto doctoral programs.”

Dr. Maureen Becker, ActingChair of the Physical TherapyDepartment and Director ofClinical Education, commented,“This is a historic event for CSI.”

As the program has worked sinceits inception, all coursework andstudy occurs on the College ofStaten Island campus, allowing allstudents full-time access to theexpertise of the faculty. The Fall2014 cohort of admitted DPTstudents will continue with thesame model; however, theirdegrees will be issued from theCollege of Staten Island and notThe Graduate Center.

EYE ON CSI AROUND CAMPUS PAGE 13

Mrs. Rose VolpeIt is with deep sorrow that wemourn the loss of Mrs. RoseM. Volpe, a founder of theFriends of CSI and wife ofthe late Dr. Edmond L.Volpe, the first President ofthe College of Staten Island.

Mrs. Volpe was a visionaryactivist who dedicated herlife to improving andenhancing Staten Island andthe College. Her longtime

commitment to the College by way of organizing the StarlightBall is evident in the continuing tradition of excellence of theCollege’s Celestial Ball. She was also very active inencouraging extracurricular music and theater programs atthe College, and in bringing cultural exhibitions andproductions to the campus. The International Festival was ahighly anticipated cultural event during its many years ofcelebrating diversity on Staten Island, while also facilitating anumber of CSI scholarships.

Mrs. Volpe was presented with a College Award forCommunity Service in 1999, and the President’s Medal in2011. For nearly four decades, she attended and plannedmany important College and community events, alwaysbringing her inimitable grace, dignity, and charm.

Dr. and Mrs. Volpe’s family includes daughters Lisa Volpeand Rosalind Volpe Goodwin, and two grandchildren.Although originally from New Haven, CT, Mrs. Volpe’s heartalways seemed to belong to Staten Island, and our Island hasbenefited greatly from her passion. Mrs. Volpe was a strongadvocate for developing the National Lighthouse Museum,and actively supported the Staten Island Chamber MusicPlayers. Recently, she was instrumental in ensuring that thetroupe’s most valuable gifts, more than 750 pieces of theactual sheet music from which they played for 35 years, weredonated to the College as an archive and resource for students.

The College, as well as Staten Island, will forever reap therewards of Dr. and Mrs. Volpe’s dedication and commitmentto our community.

Donations in Mrs. Volpe’s memory can be made to The RoseVolpe Music Scholarship. Call the CSI Office of InstitutionalAdvancement at 718.982.2365 for more information.

Governor Cuomo’s Signature Ushers in a New Era at CSI

NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo and Dr. Maureen Becker

A very warm and sunny day greeted theCollege of Staten Island’s 2,345 graduatesand their families, friends, and supportersfrom the College community and beyondlast spring at CSI’s 37th AnnualCommencement.

After acknowledging the dedicated efforts ofthe CSI community in the aftermath ofSuperstorm Sandy, Interim President Dr.William J. Fritz listed some of thecharacteristics that make CSI unique, like its204-acre campus and the fact that it is theonly public institution of higher learning inthe Borough. He also mentioned some of theCollege’s recent achievements, such as theconstruction of the new student residencehalls, the creation of new professionalschools in business and education, and theforthcoming building to house theInterdisciplinary High-PerformanceComputing Center.

In closing, he shared his philosophyregarding the connection between alumniand their alma maters, “There are those whoview colleges and universities metaphoricallyas living entities with the alumni forming the

soul of the institution. I subscribe to thisnotion as well. As alumni, your achievementsbecome our achievements. Your prominencebuilds upon our prominence and prestige.Your philanthropy and humanity becomeour contribution in kind to a better, morecompassionate, and caring world.”

This year, the College was honored to havetwo valedictorians, Christopher Bitetto andEvelyn Okeke, both graduates of TheVerrazano School Honors Program.

Bitetto reflected on his time at CSI “What Iam most proud of as I get set to graduate isthat I was a member of the CSI family. Evenunder the worst circumstances, likeHurricane Sandy, members of the StatenIsland community came together tovolunteer their time and donate their foodand clothes because we all come from thesame place. That’s what makes the Collegeof Staten Island student body so special. Wehave arrived at a point where we see thevalue in giving back to others. We all haveovercome obstacles, and as a group, wedemonstrate that nothing shall keep us fromsucceeding as long as we work for it.”

Okeke, originally from the former EastGermany, emphasized the role of TheVerrazano School in her academic andpersonal path. “Being a part of The VerrazanoSchool also fostered my college career byproviding me with a family of students andcaring mentors who assisted me throughoutevery step of my college years. When I was ascared freshman, they welcomed me to mynew country and helped me adjust to themany cultural differences. Through TheVerrazano School, I volunteered my time andengaged in making my community a betterplace to live.”

Also in attendance at the ceremony andoffering their support to the graduates wereU.S. Senator Charles Schumer; CUNY Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning,Construction, and Management IrisWeinshall; and CUNY Trustee RitaDiMartino ‘76.

The Commencement ceremony alsobestowed honorary Doctor of HumaneLetters degrees upon Elizabeth A.Dubovsky, Executive Director at The StatenIsland Foundation, and DistinguishedProfessor Toyin Falola. In addition, Dr. Fritzrecognized the latest recipients of thePresident’s Medal, Robert S. Cutrona, Sr.,President of Project-One Services, Inc., afounding Director of Victory State Bank,and a longtime member of the CSIFoundation Board; Norma D’Arrigo, acommunity leader on Staten Island,founding member of the Friends of CSI,and former member of the CSI FoundationBoard; and Dr. Alfred Levine, Professor ofEngineering Science and Physics and theDirector of the Center for EnvironmentalScience at the College of Staten Island.

Later in the day, the CSI Library hosted theannual Dolphin Awards ceremony, whichhonors outstanding contributions to theCollege by faculty, staff, and students.

Graduates Honored at 37th Commencement

EYE ON CSI ALUMNI NEWS PAGE 15

CSI alumni returned to campus last May tojoin in the College’s 2013 Commencementfestivities. For the second year in a row,alumni celebrating special class years wereinvited back on this special day to mark theanniversary of their own graduations.

The alumni began their day in the Centerfor the Arts Atrium cheering on the 2013graduates as they marched behind thebanners of their areas of concentration. Thealumni then joined the procession behindsigns denoting their class years, fromanniversaries in increments of five years,beginning with 1963.

After the ceremony, the CSI AlumniAssociation (CSIAA) hosted a special lunch,which gave everyone the opportunity tocatch up and share memories. Old yearbookswere out on the tables and everyone seemedto enjoy looking at the pictures from theircollege years. CSIAA President Dr. ArthurMerola ’84, ‘85 thanked the alumni forattending and for making the trip to campus.For some, it was a short trip, but for otheralumni, it took some planning, traveling from

Texas, Florida, and Vermont to be with theirformer classmates.

The largest anniversary-year group tomarch was the Class of 1963, celebrating 50years since their graduation. Some membersof this class assisted the Alumni Office bypersonally calling their friends to encouragethem to attend.

After the ceremony, many alumni decided toextend their Commencement celebration bywrapping up their reunions at localrestaurants.

Plans are already underway to make nextyear’s celebration even more successful. Ifyou graduated in a class year ending in a 4or 9, contact the Alumni Office atalumni@csi.cuny.edu or 718.982.2290.

Alumni Join Commencement Celebration

The College of Staten Island Alumni Association held its AnnualMeeting on June 17, 2013, where new members and officers wereelected. This meeting is a celebration of the year and the Boardwelcomes all who have been a part of it.

Dr. Arthur Merola ’84, ’85 calledthe meeting to order and thanked allfor attending. He then reported onthe many initiatives the Board tookon over the year and thanked all ofthe members for their service. Dr. Kenneth Boyden, VicePresident for InstitutionalAdvancement and External Affairs,was next to offer remarks on behalfof Interim President Dr. WilliamJ. Fritz. Dr. Boyden shared somehighlights of the College’s year andthanked the Alumni Board for allof their hard work.

Donna Garambone, Alumni Affairs Coordinator, presented the 2013CSIAA Outstanding Student Leadership Award winners: MeaganDerbyshire ’13, Matthew DiRusso ’13, and Jose Saltos ’13. Thisaward is given to students demonstrating leadership qualities, and whohave a record of service to the community and a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Dr. Merola then thanked outgoing Board members for their service tothe Alumni Board and the College. They were Carole Gervasi ’02,Susan Pace ’02, and outgoing Second Vice President VullnetKolari ’98. Dr. Merola added that a donation would be made in their

names in recognition of their service.

Finally, Carole Gervasi,Nominating Chair, presided overthe elections. Members elected totheir first term include Clare M.Bonafede ’84, ’87; PatriciaCarroll ’85; Elizabeth ReneeDavis ’12; Krystian Gargasz ’06;Christine Marie Giordano ’03;Vera Majewski ’72; Bob McGee’72; Olusoji Oluwole ’06; DawnPicone ’84; and StaceyWainwright ’03. MariaHoffmann ’93, ‘07, ‘13 waselected to her second term.

Executive Committee members who were elected to their second terminclude Arthur Merola ’84, ’85, President; Theresa Marro ’85, ’89,Vice President; Phyllis Mincapilli, 86, ’91, Treasurer; Linda Dianto’69, ’71, ’74, Assistant Treasurer; Marietta DeLuca ’74, ’85, RecordingSecretary; and James Raggi ’68, ’70, Corresponding Secretary.

Alumni Association Holds Year-end Meeting, Elections

ALUMNI NEWS

Members of the Class of 1963 reunite at the College’s2013 Commencement.

The Campus Center Park Café was thesetting for the First Annual Barbeque forgraduating seniors, which took place lastMay. The CSI Alumni Association hostedthe event, which also welcomed back recentalumni of the past five years. The eveningprovided a great opportunity for membersof the Alumni Board to get to know ourmost recent group of alumni and towelcome them into the Alumni Association.

Guests were treated to a barbeque buffet anddesserts catered by Dining Services. Feel theBeat Productions provided the music and setthe tone for all to celebrate. Trivia contestsand a dance contest, which became thehighlight of the night, served as someentertainment. Alumna Elena Solitario ’83provided gift certificates to her business, PiloArts Day Spa, to the contest winners.

Alumni Affairs Coordinator DonnaGarambone remarked, “This is an event thatwe wanted to do for some time, somethingcasual for the graduating seniors to relax afterall their hard work and for them to know thatwe are proud of their accomplishments.”

As the evening ended, CSI Alumni t-shirtswere handed out to the newest alumni andplans are already in the works to make nextyear’s event even more successful.

The CSIAA partnered with Liberty Mutualto offer a Defensive Driver Course lastspring. As part of an initiative of the BenefitsCommittee, this course was offered to CSIalumni and their family and friends, with theadded convenience that it was offered on theCSI campus. The six-hour class was underthe direction of the National Traffic SafetyInstitute. For their successful completion ofthe course, attendees were given a ten-percentdiscount on their auto insurance while theyalso refreshed their driving skills and learned

techniques for collision prevention.

CSIAA Second Vice President TheresaMarro, ’85, ’89 was on hand to welcome thegroup of over 45 alumni and friends. Theclass was so successful that a date is beingselected for another class.

Liberty Mutual offers benefits to CSIalumni. To see a list of all Alumni Benefits,go to www.csi.cuny.edu/alumni.

Alumni AssociationHosts DefensiveDriver Course

What’s New with You?“Keeping Tabs” is always happy to hearthe latest news from our alumni! Do youhave a new job or did you receive apromotion? Are wedding bells in yourfuture? Are you expecting or have you justhad a baby? Have you received any recenthonors? Have you moved or retired? Let us know and we’ll tell your fellow alumni.

Email your latest information toalumni@csi.cuny.edu.

JO

INUS FOR

D

OLPHIN DAY

SAVE THE DATECollege of Staten Island

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5Breast CancerWalkathon

To Raise Funds and Awareness for the StatenIsland Breast Cancer Research Initiative

For information, call 718.982.2365 or visit www.csitoday.com

Live Green, Embrace Pink!

CSIAA CongratulatesNewest Alumni at Barbeque

EYE ON CSI ALUMNI NEWS PAGE 17

Fourth Annual Savor the Flavors Raises Funds for CSI Students

As in past years, the CSI Alumni Association’s Fourth Annual Savor the Flavors event, heldin early April in the Center for the Arts Atrium, dazzled taste buds and raised much-neededfunds for student scholarships.

The event, sponsored by Liberty Mutual, and chaired by James McBratney ’05, CSIAlumni Board Member and President of the Staten Island Restaurant and TavernAssociation, attracted more than 200 guests.

Besides supporting CSI students and giving attendees the chance to sample some of theIsland’s best cuisine, Savor the Flavors continued the tradition of providing awards to someof the best dishes, as judged by Rob Burmeister, Eddie Canlon, and John Sierp from theFood Network’s Chopped.

Best Dish Winners:n  1st Place: Port Richmond High School

Culinary Arts Program (Gnocci Pesto)n  2nd Place: PepperJack Grill (Pulled Pork) n  3rd Place: Delish Dishes (Ravioli Blue

Cheese)

Best Dessert Honors:n  1st Place: BeerGarden (Beer Cake)n  2nd Place: Lee Sims Chocolates (Jordan

Cracker)

People’s Choice Award:n  PepperJack Grill

Best Table Décor:n  Joe Mozz Gourmet Shop

Beyond the winners, other businesses thatgenerously donated food for the event wereAfternoone’s, Alfonso’s, Blue, Bridge Tavern,Canlon’s, Da Noi, Dosa Garden, HungrySombrero, Jimmy Maxx, Joe’s of Avenue U.,Lobster House Joe, The Lake Club, ManorRestaurant, Nucci’s, Oriental Plaza, Paesano’sPizzeria, Park Café, Pink Lady Cakes, R.Ippolito Distributing (specialty beers),Randall Manor Tavern, San Rasa Sri LankanCuisine, Tapas, and Vino Devino Wines.

Coca Cola provided some of the beveragesfor the event, Feel the Beat Productionsentertained the attendees with music, andPaul Caminiti from the CSI PhotographyClub was the event photographer.

KEEPING TABS

Jerod Loeb ’71 Honored as First Alumni Fellow

CSI welcomed its first-ever Alumni Fellow, Dr.Jerod Loeb ‘71, tocampus last spring.

Dr. Loeb is ExecutiveVice President of TheJoint Commission, anindependent, not-for-profit organization thataccredits and certifiesmore than 20,000healthcare organizationsand programs in theUnited States. Joint

Commission accreditation and certification are recognizednationwide as symbols of quality that reflect an organization’scommitment to meeting certain performance standards.

An alumnus of Richmond College, Dr. Loeb has demonstrateddistinguished leadership in identifying, evaluating, andimplementing performance measures across the wide spectrum ofJoint Commission accreditation and certification programs. He isinvolved in a variety of national and international initiativesassociated with performance measurement and patient safety.

Dr. Loeb spent his day on campus speaking to 55 students in theNursing Department and meeting with College faculty andadministrators, as well as CSI Alumni Association President Dr.Arthur Merola, DPM ’84, ’85.

The keynote event of the day was Dr. Loeb’s afternoon lecture inthe Center for the Arts Williamson Theatre, “The Good, The Bad,and The Ugly.” He began his talk with a discussion of his days atRichmond College. He then discussed the current state of healthcarein the nation. He presented sobering facts and examples of themultiple opportunities for error in the U.S. healthcare system, fromincorrect and potentially life-threatening dosages of medicationprescribed, to patients receiving the wrong operation.

He also said that the business of healthcare often gets in the wayof the delivery of healthcare, noting that many medical decisionstrack back to money and that the current reimbursement systemin the U.S. is still problematic.

The lecture concluded on a more personal note, as Dr. Loebdiscussed his own journey as a cancer patient, outlining “thegood, the bad, and the ugly” of his personal experiences,treatment regimens, and his plans for the future.

Thomas Bennett – ’02, ’03,’05 is an adjunct professor at alocal county college.

Deanna Budge – ’08 I ampresently the full-time chargenurse of the ER at RWJ. I amenrolled at Drexel University toreceive my BSN via the onlineprogram. I took Laura Gasparis’sreview course May 23, to preparemyself to take the CEN mid-summer. I am also TNCC certified.

Lawrence Furman – ’81 I’vebeen speaking to elected officialson energy, the economy, andthe environment since 2004,and am now running for NJGeneral Assembly... Running tobuild more solar, wind, geo-thermal, and efficiency.

Frank Gennaro – ’96 I becamea certified public accountant inOctober 2003.

Flora Goldston – ’91 I have aMaster’s in Nursing Educationfrom Lehman and I returned lastyear as a Head Nurse/Supervisor.I am the Health Coordinator atmy church. I am a CPR/first-aidinstructor, and a 23-year breastcancer survivor. I volunteer at oneof the Montefiore oncology clinicsand I am a Reach to Recoveryvolunteer and a navigator forthe American Cancer Society. Ialso work with the Bronx HealthReach faith-based organization.

Yvette Jackson – ’75 I haveworked for the Duke healthsystem for the last 15 years as aClinical Supervisor and Managerfor Duke home health andhospice. I completed my BA inHealth Care Management andam currently working on myMaster’s in Nursing. I left NY in1980 and worked for ten yearsat Georgetown University as a

CCU charge nurse, prior tomoving to NC. I am known as alifelong learner, mentor, andcoach to my staff at Duke homehealth and hospice.

Louis Pulice – ’03 celebratedten years with CBS last May asexecutive morning showproducer for WCBS-FM.

Alicia Rebelo – ’11 At CSI, Iwas the Editor-in-Chief for Serpentine magazine for aboutfive years. I wouldn’t be where Iam without the education andexperiences I’ve had at CSI. I currently work at HarperCollinsPublishers as a Production Associate for the mass market.

Tim Tuite – ‘72, ‘80 I was an SLS major and I also earned aMaster’s degree from CSI. I amabout to retire from teachingafter almost 42 years in the professsion. I worked in SpecialEducation and the Court Schoolprograms of both NY and CAand I am forever grateful for theeducation I received. The staffof both SICC and RichmondCollege were fantastic... Now, Imay not be an academician, butI want the panelists to know thatI went on to make a big differencein so many lives because of theopportunities the SLS programprovided. I have taught studentsfrom three to 20 years of age, andI had to be a generalist to meettheir needs. SLS was, to my wayof thinking, the best preparation,along with the minor in Education,that I could have chosen. Thankyou to all the faculty.

Diane Tyson – ’89, ’91 Ithought you would like to knowfor your “Keeping Tabs” pagethat my husband Robert and Icelebrated our 50th weddinganniversary on June 8, 2013.

[L-R] Provost/Senior VP for Academic AffairsDr. Fred Naider, Dr. Jerod Loeb, and InterimPresident Dr. William J. Fritz.

EYE ON CSI LEGACY SOCIETY/STUDENT FOCUS PAGE 19

Meet BiBi Ghafari: Dedicatedto Improving Our World

CSI senior Biochemistry major (with aminor in Literature) BiBi Ghafari iscommitted to helping people in ourcommunity, and throughout the world,and she has applied her academic workand personal life toward that end.

Ghafari, who is a Student Ambassador,a member of the Emerging LeadersProgram, and a former member of theDolphins Cross-Country team, iscurrently working on two projects. The

first is the completion of a documentary that spotlights the plight ofthe Island’s homeless population, including those who lost theirhomes in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, which she hopes toscreen at next year’s Undergraduate Conference on Research,Scholarship, and Performance.

Her second project won first place in a CUNY-wide UNICEF-sponsored challenge where students designed a product or policythat can be implemented in a developing country of their choice.She, along with three other CUNY students (mentored byChemistry Professor Alan Lyons), formulated a plan to improvewater quality for families in Kenya with a film that they designedthat could be placed in plastic bottles to sanitize drinking water.Now that the plan unanimously won first place, Ghafari and hercolleagues will be given the opportunity to go to Kenya andimplement the plan.

In addition to these projects, Ghafari and two fellow students alsodevised an economical and environmentally safe method to degrade dyeused in undergraduate laboratories prior to drainage. This process,which, according to Ghafari, could save the College $2,000 per year,has already won first-place honors at the New York State PreventionInstitute’s Research and Development Student Competition.

Ghafari explains why she feels that service is important. “Service isthe most direct method of effective communication. Makingconjectures about how we could help the world is easy but it takesdedication and creativity to mold these ideas into a project that canbe used to help our campus and the international community.Ultimately accepting a challenge and embracing the obstacles isimportant because it makes every student appreciate thecomplexities that await our futures after we graduate.”

When she graduates, Ghafari plans to spend the first half of hergap year studying for the MCATs and the second half engaged inmedical internships with a focus on sports medicine. She alsoanticipates filming more documentaries in the future.

Donna Fauci ’96, ’03 and herson-in-law Pasquale Meleleo ’04are related by marriage and almamater, as they are both graduatesof CSI. Fauci, who worked inthe Office of Recruitment andAdmissions as an AdmissionsOfficer for 12 years, received a BAin Sociology and Anthropology in1996 and a Master’s in LiberalStudies in 2003. Meleleo, who iscurrently the Medical Director andowner of Pleasant Plains AnimalHospital on Staten Island, receiveda BS in Biology in 2004, and wenton to graduate from the DVMprogram at Cornell University.

Fauci, who is currently a memberof the CSI Alumni AssociationBoard of Directors, and a formerTri-chair of the Celestial Ball,says that her favorite aspect ofCSI was “the diversity of thestudent community. Since I ama Brooklyn girl, born and raised,I tend to flourish in this culturallyrich environment. I found thistype of community was a great

breeding ground for an exchangeof knowledge and ideas andtherefore allowed me to becomea more well-rounded student.”Meleleo comments that “thebest aspect of the CSI academicexperience was the quality ofprofessors, especially in the BiologyDepartment. They set the barvery high and expected studentsthat graduate from the programto work extremely hard for thedegree. I had taken undergradcourses at other universities beforeand was pleasantly surprised byhow much more work wasrequired of me at CSI. I feel thatI was exceptionally prepared forwhat was expected of me atCornell University’s College ofVeterinary Medicine.”

When asked why alumni shouldsupport the College, Fauci statesthat the College’s growth factoris an important reason. “CSI isexpanding exponentially andtherefore money is needed so thatour students can have the facilitiesand faculty that are necessary tocompete on a worldwide level. TheCollege needs capital in order toattract the finest faculty andstudents.” For his part, Meleleorecalls that the affordable tuitionat CSI didn’t leave him burdenedwith debt, so he was able toestablish his successful practice.“Examples like this clearlyillustrate why we must supportCSI. Providing affordableworld-class education to StatenIslanders pays dividends back tothe community for years tocome, making Staten Island abetter community for us all.”

Donna Fauci ’96, ’03 and Pasquale Meleleo ‘04

EVENTS

Dr. William J. Fritz addresses the attendees of the Superstorm SandyForum in the CSI Center for the Arts.

Panel discussions with a wide variety of academics, experts, and politiciansaddressed the impact of the storm and what the community can do to preparefor future extreme weather events.

Superstorm Sandy Forum Informs the Community

Phi Beta Delta Honor SocietyHolds Induction CeremonyLast spring’s induction ceremony for the Eta Lambda Chapter of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars welcomed 43 new members.

A wide variety of Staten Islanders attended the Forum.

The Forum also featured a Superstorm Sandy researchposter session in the Center for the Arts Atrium.

CSI geologist Dr. Alan Benimoff ’67 givesan interview at the Forum.

CollegeCommunityJoins Relay for LifeCSI hosted the Relay for Life last May to raise funds for the American CancerSociety.

New YorkPhilharmonic Brass at CSICSI Foundation President andNYS Regent Dr. Christine Cea‘88 (second from left) and CSIAlumni Association President Dr.Arthur Merola ’84, ’85 (far right)pose with two members of the NewYork Philharmonic Brass after theensemble’s performance last Julyin the Center for the Arts.

Sigma Beta Delta HoldsHonors InductionCeremonyThe CSI chapter of the Sigma Beta DeltaHonor Society for Business, Management, andAdministration inducted its newest members ina ceremony last May.

Ball FieldDedicatedFormer CSI President Dr.Tomás D. Morales (far left)throws out the first pitch at aCSI Dolphins baseball gameafter the dedication of theCollege’s ball field in his name.

EYE ON CSI EVENTS PAGE 21

CLUB NEWS

In her explanation of the purposeof the CSI American Sign Language (ASL) Club, ClubPresident Natalie Piccioneunderscores not only theimportance of communication,but also that of drawing peopletogether. “We encouragethe use of ASL as a means ofcommunication, consequentlypromoting unity with deaf andhearing students.” She adds,“Our motto is, ‘We don’t bite, wesign’.”

According to Natalie, the “Clubcultivates a safe and nurturingenvironment for all students tocome explore, learn, and useAmerican Sign Language. Wepromote positive fellowship,skill-building exercises/activities,and informative sessions amongstudents in order to encourage

communication between deaf,hard-of-hearing, and hearingstudents. As a result, the Clubfosters and will continue to pursue the development ofhealthy relationships within theCollege community.”

One of the ways the Clubachieves these goals is through“Sign-A-Palooza,” an annualtalent show-like event that

encourages less-experiencedASL “students to get involvedand perform a song, a poem, astory, and whatever literaturethey like to do in AmericanSign Language,” Natalie says.Last year’s event was a success,according to Natalie, with morethan 180 (hearing and deafpeople) in attendance.

In the future, Natalie says that

the Club will work to furtherdevelop its “Let’s Make aSigner” mentoring program tohone students’ signing skillswhile increasing theirunderstanding of deaf culture.She also notes that “we wouldlike to host more Q&A panelsand more cultural awarenessevents on the CSI campus toclose the gap between the deafand hearing worlds.”

The CSI Marketing Associationcontinually concentrates on giving CSI Marketing studentsthe resources and skills thatthey need to succeed in today’scompetitive business climate.According to AssociationPresident Mabel Lam, the group“enables students with an interestin marketing to network anddiscover career opportunitiesthrough guest lectures, careerworkshops, and professionalorganizations.” She adds that itis also “one of the largest andmost active clubs at CSI.”

One of the MarketingAssociation’s premiere eventseach year is “How to Dress for

Success.” Noting that the eventtakes many months of hardwork and planning, Mabel says

that its purpose is “to educatethe student body at CSI on howto dress professionally for job

interviews and what are thecommon mistakes intervieweesmake when they go for theirinterview.” There was plenty ofaudience participation, Mabelnotes, as we got [them] to…point out the mistakes of eachmodel. Audience members werealso given our promotional items.”

Summing up this year’s event,Mabel points out that thefashion show was fun andinformative. Over 100 studentsattended and we got muchoutstanding and positivefeedback from faculty membersand students.”

ASL Club Brings the College Community Closer Together

CSI Marketing Association Suits Up Tomorrow’s Professionals

EYE ON CSI SCHOLARLY ACHIEVEMENTS PAGE 23

SCHOLARLY ACHIEVEMENTS

Faculty/Staff Publications

June 4, 2013: YING ZHU, published “ChinaTravels Back Down the River” on The WallStreet Journal‘s “China Realtime Report.”

June 1, 2013:WILLIAM J. FRITZ andALAN BENIMOFF were featured on NPRRadio’s “Remapping Our Awareness of StormSurge Danger,” Weekend Edition, NationalPublic Radio. Copyright ©2013 NPR.

May 30, 2013: KRISTEN GILLESPIE-LYNCH was the featured expert in thearticle “A Better Predictor of Autism” inScienceNOW on the American Associationfor the Advancement of Science Website.

May 26, 2013: KEN GOLD was thefeatured expert in the Washington Postarticle “Ready, Set, Relax: Memorial DayStarts the Clock on Summer.”

May 17, 2013: The New York State Societyof Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)presented CYNTHIA SCARINCI with its2013 Dr. Emanuel Saxe Outstanding CPA inEducation Award.

May 15, 2013: The New York State GrandLodge Order Sons of Italy in Americaselected CHRISTINA TORTORA as the 2013recipient of the Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Award.

April 30, 2013:WILLIAM J. FRITZ ANDALAN BENIMOFF were the featuredresearchers for “Safety from Storm Surges, ona Budget” in an article on The New YorkWorldWebsite that asks “Could somethingas simple as street signs help protect NewYorkers from the wrath of future hurricanes?”

April 26, 2013: YING ZHU appeared onTriStates Public Radio for a segment entitled“China Seeks Soft Power Influence in U.S.through CCTV.”

April 24, 2013:MING XIA was thecontributing author to the Dharamshala launchof the “Tibet Burning” issue of Seminar Journal.

April 23, 2013: SAADIA TOOR discussedPakistan at Mellon Foundation Lecture Series.

April 17, 2013: FRED NAIDER was adistinguished guest from the scientificcommunity attending the WeizmannInstitute of Science’s New York Gala at ThePierre, entitled “In Celebration of Science.”

April 17, 2013: RICHARD FLANAGAN,author of Staten Island: A Conservative Bastionin a Liberal City, moderated a PoliticalScience Department event at CSI thatgathered five democratic mayoral hopefulsfor an evening of insights and discussion.

April 16, 2013:MICHAEL KRESS andWILLIAM DUDLEY toured Sandy-impacted neighborhoods with NY1.

April 8, 2013: Buzz Aldrin and CHARLESLIU were featured on the front page of TheMontclair Times in the story “Failure toLaunch: Aldrin, Liu Sound off on NASA’sOutreach Cuts.”

April 5, 2013:WILLIAM FRITZ keynotedthe Rebuilding NY conference hosted byCrain’s New York Business.

April 2, 2013: NAN SUSSMAN was namedPresident-elect of the International Academyfor Intercultural Research.

March 19, 2013:WILLIAM FRITZ,MICHAEL KRESS, AND ALANBENIMOFF appeared on The WeatherChannel‘s Wake Up with Al program.

March 16, 2013: JONATHAN PETERS wasquoted in ”Rebuilding Staten Island afterSandy,” a featured article in the March 16,2013 edition of The Economist.

March 15, 2013: SARAH SCHULMANappeared in Tablet magazine, after beinginterviewed at New York City’s LGBT Centerin downtown Manhattan, where the authordiscussed her new book, Israel/Palestine andthe Queer International.

February 16, 2013: CHARLES LIU wasfeatured on the CBS Evening News withScott Pelley, discussing the meteor thatexploded over Russia.

February 15, 2013: EMILY L. RICEappeared on Lou Dobbs Tonight providinginsights on the asteroid that flew close to theEarth and the meteor that crashed in Russia.

February 8, 2013: KATHLEEN M.CUMISKEY was featured in The NY Times forher expertise on the psychology of social media.

February 5, 2013: The Five-Point Plan forRebuilding Staten Island, as detailed byWILLIAM J. FRITZ, was featured in theFebruary 11 and 18, 2013 anniversary Issueof The New Yorker magazine.

February 4, 2013: “Annie Pearl’s Arethabops,”by PATRICIA SMITH, was featured in thelatest edition of Brilliant Corners: A Journal ofJazz & Literature.

February 3, 2013: The Journal of HistoricalGeography recognized CARY KARACASand his co-authored paper, “A CartographicFade to Black: Mapping the Destruction ofUrban Japan during World War II” (JHG 38,2012, pp. 306-28) as making the greatestcontribution to the advancement ofscholarship in historical geography for 2012.

January 10, 2013: KATHLEEN M.CUMISKEY appeared on NY1 as part of itsongoing coverage regarding “Hundreds OfNonprofit Workers Help[ing] S.I. HomeownersPatch Up Sandy Damage.”

January 7, 2013: ATHANASIOS KOUTAVASwas a featured expert in the article “A TighterGlobal Warming-El Nino Link” in ClimateSpectator, a Business Spectator publication.

January 5, 2013: FREDERICK KAUFMAN,author of Bet the Farm: How Food StoppedBeing Food, appeared on C-SPAN’s WashingtonJournal program.

FOUNDATION NOTES

Full-time undergraduate students inscience, engineering, and mathematicsat CSI can now secure financialassistance to pursue their studies,thanks to the establishment of a$100,000 fully endowed scholarshipby CSI alumnus Dr. Michael Nakao.

Dr. Nakao, who has been a practicingphysician in Albany, NY for 30 years,and who is on the clinical faculty ofAlbany Medical College, explains why

he decided to establish the scholarship. “Very talented youngpeople can sometimes not afford college. When I went tocollege in Staten Island 35 years ago, I paid no tuition. I hadmade some bad choices and [CSI predecessor school]Richmond College gave me a second chance when all otherdoors were closed. In Staten Island, I had a high level ofinstruction and the College had liberal policies that allowedme to develop into a good student, good enough to beadmitted to medical schools.”

Addressing the critical need to support institutions of higherlearning, Dr. Nakao discusses the reasons why CSI alumnishould support their alma mater. “Public colleges anduniversities provide students who are less well off and whohave interruptions in their education with a chance for highereducation, which has become essential for a successful career.The cost of that education, although reasonable, is no longerfree or nearly free. Also, the quality of public education has tokeep pace with the quality of education at the finest privatecolleges and universities so that it is not viewed as second class.”

As a result of Dr. Nakao’s generosity, one or more studentsper year will share approximately $4,000 from the scholarshipfund. Besides full-time status and major, academic merit andfinancial need will be considerations for potential awardees.

Nakao ’71 Endows Scholarshipto Benefit CSI Students

Jay Chazanoff ’65 Is NewestMember of CSI Foundation Board

CSI alumnus Jay Chazanoff has recently joined the CSI FoundationBoard of Directors.

Chazanoff earned an Associate’s Degree in Business from Staten IslandCommunity College in 1965; a BBA degree from Pace University in1967; and an MBA degree from Long Island University in 1970.

He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant with theinternational accounting firm of Ernst & Ernst. From 1972 to 1991,Chazanoff climbed the corporate ladder of a multi-billion-dollar NewYork Stock Exchange-listed financial services company, IntegratedResources, Inc., to become its President and Chief Operating Officer.After a corporate reorganization in 1994, he co-founded atechnology-based claims management company, BSI, Inc., to servicethe corporate reorganization industry, where he served as theChairman of the Board and CEO. BSI, which grew to become thenation's largest claims administrator within its industry, was sold in2003 to EPIQ Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company.

In 1995, Chazanoff became a partner in Pembroke Companies, Inc.,a real estate investment management holding company that acquirescompanies that own real estate, and helped build its investmentportfolio. Today, Pembroke Companies, owns or controlsapproximately 8,000 apartments in metropolitan New York City andmore than two million square feet of commercial retail and officespace throughout the U.S.

Jay and his wife Lucille are actively engaged in many charitable causes.Jay currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jewish CommunityCenter on Staten Island (JCC). He was a member of the Board of Trusteesof St. Vincent's Hospital, Staten Island until 2000 and served from 2004to 2006 as Vice Chairman of the Board for the Staten Island HeartInstitute. He is also a past President of Richmond County Country Club.

Jay was inducted into the College of Staten Island Hall of Fame in 1984.

SAVE THE DATE!AN EVENING ABOVE FOR CSI

to Benefit the College of Staten Island

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Staten Island Hilton

Tickets are $150 per person.

For more information, call the Office of InstitutionalAdvancement at 718.982.2365.

Jay Chazanoff (right) and his wife Lucille

The College of Staten Island succeeded in raising much-needed funds for its greatest needs last spring at the FourthAnnual Celestial Ball. The event, held at the RichmondCounty Country Club, was a resounding success, as arecord number of tickets and journal ads had been sold andmore sponsors than ever signed on to support the Ball.

The Ball was also well attended, as approximately 250people—from community and business leaders to students,faculty, staff, and friends of the College to honorees andtheir family members—were in attendance. Although theguests thoroughly enjoyed the evening, the College was thegreatest beneficiary, as the proceeds will be used to addressall aspects of the College—from student and faculty supportthrough infrastructure and everyday needs. This is especiallyimportant in the current trying economic climate, where thepercentage of state funds in the institution’s budget has beenseverely reduced in recent years.

Three prominent individuals, Robert Cutrona, Sr.,President, Project-One Services; Norma D’Arrigo,Community Leader; and Dr. Alfred Levine, Professor,Engineering Science and Physics, and Director, Center forEnvironmental Science, College of Staten Island, alsoreceived the President’s Medal at the event for theirsignificant contributions to the College and Staten Islandcommunities. The Medals were presented to the honorees byCSI Interim President Dr. William J. Fritz, with theassistance of Interim Provost and Senior Vice President forAcademic Affairs Dr. Fred Naider.

Attendees were also treated to remarks from Dr. ChristineCea ’88, New York State Regent representing Staten Island,President of the CSI Foundation, and Scientist at theInstitute for Basic Research, who also presented a briefvideo spotlighting the progress on CSI’s first-ever residencehalls. Dr. Fritz also provided a progress report on theCollege, emphasizing that this important work can continuethanks to the generous support of private donors.

In addition, then Student Government President MichaelAllamby represented the student body, discussing how theCollege of Staten Island, and in particular, an internshipopportunity from a particular CSI alumnus, made adifference in his life.

This year’s Celestial Ball was chaired by Marilyn Caselli,Senior Vice President for Customer Operations,Consolidated Edison, Inc., and a member of the CSIFoundation Board of Directors. The Honorary Chairs werethe Hon. Rita DiMartino ’76, Trustee of The CityUniversity of New York, and the Hon. Kathleen Pesile ‘73,Trustee of The City University of New York and PrincipalOwner, Pesile Financial Group.

Celestial Ball Raises Support for the College’s Greatest Needs

EYE ON CSI FOUNDATION NOTES PAGE 25

CHARLES GOMESNAMED NEWINTERIM DIRECTOROF ATHLETICS

Charles Gomes was appointedthe College of Staten Island’sInterim Athletic Director, effectiveApril 29, 2013.

Gomes brings a vast amount ofexperience to the AthleticDirector position. Before comingto CSI, he served in various rolesfor the National FootballFoundation and College Hall ofFame’s “Play It Smart” programfor nearly a decade.

From 1998 to 2001, Gomesserved as an Academic Counselorat Springfield College’s Centerfor Youth Development ThroughSport, where he worked withstudent-athletes at several NYCpublic schools. In 1997-1998, hewas an academic counselor forthe Division I Men’s andWomen’s Basketball programs atthe University of Massachusettsat Amherst.

Gomes has also consulted forseveral National Football Leagueyouth initiatives and specialevents, and for the past 11 years,he has coordinated a free footballcamp with Dallas Cowboys Head

Coach Jason Garrett, hostingmore than 300 student-athletesfrom the tri-state area annually atPrinceton University.

Gomes received his MEd in AthleticCounseling and Administrationfrom Springfield College and BAin Psychology from the Universityof Massachusetts at Amherst.

He served as the Director of theCollege Now program at CSI since2009 and under his leadership,College Now has experienced adoubling in enrollment and a94% student success rate.

CUNYACCHAMPIONSHIPSHIGHLIGHT CLOSE OFATHLETIC YEAR

The College of Staten Islandcould not have had a finer closeto the 2012-2013 academic year,scoring a pair of CUNYACchampionships on the baseballand softball diamonds in earlyMay. The Softball squad clinchedits sixth NCAA Division III NationalTournament berth in the process,while the men finished their yearat 30-12, their second-highestwin total in program history.

CSI’s season ended there, as the

team was locked out of an at-large bid to play in the veryselective NCAA NationalTournament. Still, CSI collected30 wins for only the second timein program history, and their 16CUNYAC titles are more than anyother CSI program.

Over on the softball diamond,the very young Dolphins shinedand set the tone for qualitycampaigns in years to come. The2013 collection boasted noseniors and just one junior on itsroster of 14 total players. Still,the Dolphins overcame a toughstart to post a 21-14 regular-season record, complete with an11-1 mark in the CUNYAC.

The Dolphins entered thetournament as the No. 2 seed,losing the first seed to BaruchCollege on a tiebreaker. Theseeding proved moot, however,as the Dolphins ran the table inthe postseason, scoring threestraight wins, including an extra-innings thrilling final over HunterCollege to notch its 15thCUNYAC title and an automatictrip to the Nationals.

CSI fell in the NCAA Regionals, butfor skipper Dr. Stella Porto, gettingto the big tournament primes the

team for a promising future.

Returning its entire lineup in 2014,CSI Softball should once again bea force to be reckoned with.

FALL PREVIEWS

The College of Staten Island willbe ringing in its busiest seasonwith a lot of excitement andpromise in 2013. CSI’s lot ofhead coaches are all returning in2013, along with a healthymajority of returning talent.

Men’s Cross-CountryOne of CSI’s newest sports,MXC, came aboard in 2008 andfour years later the teamcaptured its highest finish,placing second overall at theCUNYAC Championships. Threerunners, Andrew Pate, SamuelObesanya, and Keith Grossman,all finished in the Top 10, and allreturn for CSI in 2013. The teamis expected to contend for a titlethis season under Head CoachRobert Russo, who will bolster theroster and continue to add depth.

Men’s SoccerUnder first-year Head CoachJohn Tardy, the young Dolphinsscored an 11-11-1 finish a yearago, a tremendousaccomplishment given the team’stough schedule and the loss of asmany as six starters due to injury.With a full off-seasonconditioning program andrecruiting cycle, the 2013installment of the Dolphinspromises to be that much better.The team graduated four playersfrom 2012, including CUNYACleading scorer and Player of theYear Nedgy Nazon and four-yearstandout and goalkeeper AhmedEl-Ghareib, so the team will haveits challenges as well.

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Captain Alfonso Castaneda is anotable returner, as are freshmanstandouts from a season ago:Ryan Miller, Brandon Cadmen,Horatio Reid, and Betsam Sosa.CSI ushered in the season byhosting the Second Annual Kick-Off Classic at CSI that beganAugust 31, and the season willculminate with the CUNYACChampionships taking place atBrooklyn College in mid-November.

Women’s Cross-CountryOn paper, the Women’s Cross-Country unit had a rebuildingyear in 2012, having placed eighth among nine teams at theCUNYAC Championship a yearago. Hidden beneath the details,however, is that CSI shavednearly 14 total minutes off oftheir collective race time over thecourse of the year, and the newand inexperienced bunch returnsall of its major runners in 2013including CUNYAC All-StarVictoria Barry.

With an influx of new talent anda new outlook for 2013, theteam expects to turn the cornerand post a solid season, onceagain setting its mark toward apotential championship run.

Women’s SoccerThe Women’s Soccer programhas won six of the CUNYAC’s lastnine championships, but the2013 Dolphins will be cominginto the season with a feeling ofunfinished business. The squadtrampled the conferencecompetition last year, but, inwhat was perhaps the biggestCUNYAC Championship upset insome time, the team wasbounced by CCNY in the titlegame, 1-0, shutting the Dolphinsout of a potential NCAApostseason berth.

The good news for the Dolphinsis that they graduated only asingle player last year in role playerChristina Jacob, and the teampromises to be bigger and better.

Leading scorer Demi-JeanMartorano, the all-time goalsleader at the College, is the focalpoint, while fellow forwardSamantha Wysokowski is comingoff of a huge sophomore seasonthat saw her lead the team andset a school record for single-season goals with 26. JuniorMelissa Gelardi, who led the entirenation in assists, is also on hand,as is Victoria Donegan, goalkeeper,who missed a majority of the2012 campaign due to injury.

The Dolphins have not lost aregular-season conference gamesince 2010, making them, onceagain, the hands-down favoritein 2013.

Women’s TennisAfter a tough start in 2012, theCSI Women’s Tennis squadbounced back to post anincredible season, one thatincluded a nine-game winningstreak that only came to an endin the CUNYAC Final at thehands of Baruch College. Liketheir fall counterparts, the teamreturns plenty of star power in2013, including all four CUNYACAll-Stars led by senior IlonaStoyko and CUNYAC Rookie ofthe Year Mediha Mulla.

With the addition of a handful ofnew faces, the Dolphins againexpect to contend to the highestdegree, and this year will serve asCUNYAC Championship hosts atthe National Tennis Center in lateOctober when the Finals comearound.

Women’s VolleyballUnder third-year coach AtefDosse, the team has made bigstrides in each of the last twoyears. Still, the team has been inrebuilding mode, and the staff iseager to turn the page andbecome a consistent force in theCUNYAC and beyond. The teamposted a 6-13 record a year ago,but the squad was peaking bythe end of the season.

Unfortunately, Superstorm Sandywiped out the final few games ofthe season, and CSI never did geta chance to go to the postseasonand show its improvement. Thatshould change this year.

The team will be tested,however, as the squad will play amajority of its games in the CSIAuxiliary Gymnasium, asrenovations are set to take placeon the main competition floor.

CSI AWARDSDESERVINGSTUDENTS AT END-OF-YEAR GALA

In the latest installment of a greattradition at CSI, the Athleticsprogram spotlighted a host of itsstudent-athletes, coaches, anddistinguished staff members withits annual Athletics AwardsBanquet on May 17. More than80 award winners werehighlighted as part of the gala,among them members of CSI's14 teams in 2012-2013.

Major awards were presented toFemale Athlete of the Year VictoriaProcopio, sophomore pitcher andoutfielder for the CSI Women'sSoftball team. CSI Baseball hurlerRichard Anderson earned MaleAthlete of the Year honors. CSIScholar-Athlete of the Year honorswere given to Women's Basketballstar and senior Olivia Tierno.

All told, the rousing event was agreat success, according to DavidPizzuto, Associate Athletic Director,principal organizer, and host ofthe event each year, who was alsohonored with an appreciationaward at the dinner.

Demi-Jean Martorano

EYE ON CSI SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS PAGE 27

(L-R): Charles Gomes,Victoria Procopio, and Richard Anderson

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE...

• Dolphin Cove: One Semester On

• CSI/SIUH Join Forces to Combat Cancer

• Alumni Profile: Laurie O’ Byrne,Business Executive

COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLANDAlumni Relations Office2800 Victory BoulevardBuilding 1A, Room 111Staten Island, NY 10314

Telephone: 718.982.2290Email: alumni@csi.cuny.edu

Contact Eye on CSI:

RISING STARS

DENNIS LAM ’16 Major: BiochemistryA Verrazano School and STEAM honors student,currently researching with Dr. Sharon Loverde usingmolecular dynamics to calculate the strength of thechemical interaction between two Paclitaxel drugs.He was a Summer 2013 Undergraduate Research

fellow and a recipient of the STEAM Scholarship, Bernard BlauMemorial Scholarship, and the Student Government Scholarship. A favorite aspect of CSI: “CSI has an open and welcoming environment.” Future plans: After he receives his Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry,his plans are to look for a career either in the pharmaceutical field orthe medical field.

ELIZABETH CHE ’14 Major: Psychology and Political Science withStudio Art and Chinese minorsA Macaulay Honors College student, her mostcurrent research is with Professor Irina Sekerina,where she is examining whether viewing paintingsmay increase creative spontaneous thinking

abilities. She received a 2013 student Dolphin Award and astudent service award. She has participated in StudentGovernment, among other administrative organizations, and sheis the founder and President of the Japanese Visual Culture Club. A favorite aspect of CSI: “ I enjoyed the classes that I took and amhappy to have met such wonderful faculty, staff, and students.What made it more enjoyable was being part of the MacaulayHonors College….”Future plans: She would like to attend graduate school forpsychology and work toward a doctorate.

MAYS JUMAH ’15 Major: Biology (pre-dental)A SEEK student who is on the Dean’s List and is amember of the Chi Alpha Epsilon National HonorSociety and the National Society of CollegiateScholars. She is a Jeannette K. Watson Fellow. A favorite aspect of CSI: “My experience at CSI has

been excellent so far—great staff, very helpful and always smiling.” Future plans: She hopes to finish college in the next two years,graduate with honors in Biology, and apply to dental school.

THOMAS VUOLO ’15 Major: Physics with Mathematics minorA Teacher Education Honors Academy (TEHA) andDean’s List student who has taken part in manyevents at the College, such as the Student Conferenceand Student Orientation, to help promote the TEHA. A favorite aspect of CSI: “My experiences during

student observations allow me to integrate the education I havegained from the classroom and apply it when I am working withmy students.”Future plans:Once he receives his bachelor’s degree, he plans to worktoward a master’s degree. He hopes to eventually become a teacher.

JO

INUS FOR

D

OLPHIN DAYSATURDAY, OCTOBER 5Join us for a day of fun on the CSI campus, including the Alumni Association Hall of Fame Induction and the

Annual Walkathon to benefit the Staten Island Breast Cancer Research Initiative.

Call 718.982.2365 for more information.

Thomas Chin ’80

Thomas Chin, who graduated from Csi in

1980 with an associate’s degree in Electronics

Engineering, was an ideal candidate to speak

at last June’s induction Ceremony of Phi Beta

Delta, the honor society for international

scholars, as he is currently the Vice President

of infrastructure operations, Latin america

and Canada, for JPmorgan Chase. Chin is

responsible for the day-to-day technology

operations in multiple countries and major

cities in the region.

Discussing his often challenging role, Chin

explains, “my job is very dynamic and my

day can sometimes be very unpredictable. my

duty is to manage our region’s technology

infrastructure to support our users’ business

functions. i never know what and when an

incident can strike, but when it does, it is my

job to manage the situation and get the problem

fixed as quickly as possible so the users can

go back to their Business as Usual operations.

and that is the fun and challenging part of my

job—always being ready to tackle different

problems and situations. You sometimes feel

like you are sitting behind a race car on the

starting line waiting for the flag to drop.”

Looking back on his college and life experiences,

Chin notes that Csi laid the foundation for

his success, while simply living life in our

complex world helps him to grow professionally.

“i personally don’t think you will be able to

learn everything from school, as there is so

much to learn in this world of ours. There are

new technologies and apps by the hours or

minutes. But i know Csi gave me the good

start i needed—my baseline knowledge, how

to think logically, and the technology concepts.

after Csi, i still need to expand my knowledge

and continue my learning skills from my

industry peers and colleagues on the job.”

Chin was happy to have the opportunity to

return to his alma mater last June. “it was

great coming back to Csi after 33 years! Csi

looks great—from the moment i came

through the gate and got lost looking for the

right parking lot—it is so big. The campus

buildings are beautiful and i would have

loved to have time to check out the tech labs.

Even though it is not the same campus i

graduated from, i still got chills stepping into

the auditorium and speaking in front of the

Phi Beta Delta honor society members and

their families.”

he also had a positive experience meeting

Csi’s international scholars at the induction

Ceremony. “When i talked to the students

about my job and my career and saw that they

were so interested, it really made me feel

good. i loved speaking to young people as i

do with many of the young entry-level

members of my staff. i enjoyed passing on

my work experience to them and sharing with

them the different situations that i have faced,

how i would handle situations, and what my

thinking was behind taking certain actions.”

Fortunately, this visit went so well that the

future might hold more trips to campus for

Chin. “i enjoy being a mentor,” he says, “and

would love to provide any assistance to my

fellow Csi students.”

ALUMNI PROFILE

UPCOMING EVENTS

For information on upcoming performances at the CSI Center for the Arts,go to www.cfashows.com or call 718.982.ARTS. Receive a $2 alumnidiscount off performances. Limit two discounts per performance.

Keep up with the latest CSI Athletics news at www.csidolphins.com.

Present your Alumni Photo ID for a membership discount at the CSISports and Recreation Center. Call 718.982.3161 for more information.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONBOARD MEETINGSeptember 16, 20137:00pmBuilding 1A, Room 406

CSI DOLPHIN DAYOctober 5, 2013

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONBOARD MEETINGNovember 18, 2013 7:00pm Building 1A, Room 406

MURDER MYSTERYDINNERNovemberTBA

AN EVENING ABOVEFOR CSIDecember 10, 2013Staten Island Hilton

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONBOARD MEETINGJanuary 13, 2014 7:00pm Building 1A, Room 406

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONBOARD MEETINGMarch 24, 20147:00pm Building 1A, Room 406

SAVOR THE FLAVORS April 6, 2014CFA Atrium

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONBOARD MEETINGMay 19, 20147:00pm Building 1A, Room 406

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONANNUAL MEETINGJune 16, 20147:00pm TBA

If you would like to receiveemail announcements ofupcoming events, please send your email toalumni@csi.cuny.edu.

2800 Victory BoulevardStaten Island, NY 10314

Alumni Gifts to the AnnualFund Make a Difference!Each year, we reach out to our alumni to request a gift to the CSIAnnual Fund. You may receive a mailing, email, or phone call askingfor your help in the form of a donation to your alma mater. Thesecollective gifts from our alumni family form a foundation of crucialsupport for the greatest needs of the College, our students, ourfaculty, and our beautiful 204-acre campus. Gifts of any amountare appreciated and help us to provide scholarships to deservingstudents, giving them an opportunity to pursue knowledge, achievea college degree, and make an impact that will benefit society.

This year, our goal is to increase alumni participation inthe Annual Fund to its highest level yet. With a record60,000 alumni, the potential to make a difference andtransform CSI is greater than ever!

Alumni participation:• increases the value of your degree. U.S. News & World Reportrankings factor alumni giving as a measure of a college’s strength;

• helps deserving students with scholarships and researchopportunities; and

• is crucial when foundations and corporations decide whetherto support research and programs.

Public funding has not kept pace with increasing needs and recordenrollment. Alumni gifts go a long way in providing necessarysupport for a wide range of needs, including campus research labs,faculty-student research studies, and Library resources. A vigorousAnnual Fund enables CSI to offer a world-class learning andresearch environment for our 14,000-plus students and 351 faculty.

Alumni gifts help us grow as an institution of higher learning andensure that CSI is a strong and vital college. As we begin a newacademic year, we are counting on our alumni, who know thevalue of a CSI education, to help grow a tradition of giving to theAnnual Fund. Stand up and be counted by giving to the CSIAnnual Fund this year. It will make a lasting difference.

To make your gift online, visit www.csi.cuny.edu/foundation,click on “Make Your Gift Online,” and select “Annual Fund” fromthe drop-down menu. For questions about the CSI Annual Fund,please call Jennifer Lynch, Associate Director of Annual Giving,at 718.982.2293 or email her at jennifer.lynch@csi.cuny.edu.

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