Volume 1
Issue 13
For the Kean University Student Community
November 30, 2004
The
COUGAR’SByte A Student Life & Leadership Development Publication
Kean Volunteer Day
Nizihah Wilson, Alexandra Choute and Nataly Moncayo sorting winter clothing.
While most stayed snuggled under their covers, many members of the Kean community braved the bitter cold early Saturday morning, November 13, and eagerly headed to Wilkins Theatre to support the Hillside Community Food Bank. Gathering together and enjoying breakfast before taking their seats on the buses, Anna
Cifello, a freshman Biology major revealed, “Since the holidays are coming I decided that I wanted to do something to help others.” And others shared her sentiments. “I like helping people out – especially kids – it makes me feel good,” said Nataly Moncayo, a junior in the elementary education and bilingual education programs. And senior Spanish education major, Omar Jackson added, “Helping others is a way of helping yourself.” Other enthusiastic members of the Kean community greeted two busloads of volunteers when they arrived at the Food Bank. Everyone had their minds set on helping out in the kids closet and came ready to sort the warm winter clothing. Sorting out boys and girls clothes for winter distribution, Nataly Moncayo remarked, “As I was sorting
Addressing Your Parking Concerns Dear Readers, I would like to thank you for your responses and taking your time to voice your concerns, which goes to show that you do care about the situation instead of being the masses who complain about it and not come forward to voice their opinions. I just wanted to clarify certain points that you made in your letters, and hopefully will be able to give you a better picture. The University’s biggest source of funding is our tuition, and it is our tuition that is used for running this school. Although we do get funding from the state, this funding has decreased over the years and that is why our tuition keeps rising. So for us to have a new parking deck or any other solution, the students will also bear the brunt of the expenses. I am sorry you feel that the Administration and Student Organization are not doing enough, however your student government is always working hard and trying to work with the Administration to solve problems. In an effort to help resolve the parking problem, Student Organization, along with the office of Vice President of Finance & Administration and the office of Vice President of Student Affairs will sponsor a parking forum on December 1, 2004. The forum will take place in the University Center Little Theatre during college hour, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, and I hope all of you can attend. The forum will allow the Administration to talk about some of the steps being taken to alleviate parking problems as well as have a question and answer session, allowing the administration to provide immediate feedback to students. Please be there and voice your concerns. The other thing that I wanted to clear up was the cost of the fountain, which was paid by donations, made by the Easterbrook family, and was made for the sole purpose of campus beautification and that is money that cannot be used elsewhere. I hope I have cleared up some of your concerns and hopefully I will see you on December 1. MD Maruf Student Organization’s V.P. of Student Affairs
Lionel Aniegbuna, Stanley DuClervil, Philippe Adrien, James Sharpe and other members of Greek Organizations taking time to lend a helping hand.
out the clothes, I realized that some little kid out there is cold and needs them.” And there are a great many that do. A large number of agencies that work with the Hillside Community Food Bank have already placed orders and are in immediate need of warm clothing. Some volunteers sorted while others packed up gift packs, containing twelve items including warm clothing, winter coats and even a toy, for the agencies to distribute to these children in need. More than 10 members of Kappa Alpha Psi participated in the event. Kappa Alpha Psi historian, Philippe Adrien commented “We have been focusing on hunger and poverty issues a lot this year. We have a turkey initiative and a Thanksgiving dinner, and so we decided that participating in Kean Volunteer Day would be yet another opportunity to work on this cause.” The crowd began to disperse as Laura Kuchar and Rose DeJesus the day happily volunteer their time. came to a close and the two busloads of volunteers were carted back to Wilkins Theatre where they took the chill off with a warm plate of lasagna. Sophomore Music major, Dawn Foster shared “It was a great experience and I look forward to coming next year,” and Anna Cifello agrees “I’ll surely participate every year.”
Visit our online edition at www.cougarsbyte.com
R E G I S T E R AT W W W. C O U G A R S B Y T E . C O M T O G ET T Cougar Day At Turtle Back Zoo
The crowd eagerly awaits the appearance of Sage
On an absolutely beautiful Sunday afternoon, a rarity for early November, more than 200 members of the Kean community, including family and friends, gathered at Turtle Back Zoo for Sage’s first public appearance. But before the crowd could meet this vivacious member of the Kean family, visitors convened in the zoo Food Court for a presentation on the wonderful partnership that Kean University and Turtle Back Zoo share. An enthusiastic Janice Murray-Laury began by thanking all who help to create, expand and maintain this relationship and added “a special thank you to Tara Higgins for helping to keep the tradition moving on.” In addition to the new staff, seasoned staff, faculty, students, alumni, administration and friends, trustee Linda Lewis was in attendance and happily declared “I am overwhelmed and very pleased with the partnership we have with Turtle Back Zoo. I am also impressed with Kean’s efforts internally on campus and externally as well.” The many groups and individuals who
worked hard to establish this event, including the tremendous support of the Greek Organizations, were thoroughly thanked for all of their efforts by Kean’s Administration and representatives of Turtle Back Zoo. Members of several groups presented the zoo and the Zoological Society with gifts and symbols of Kean’s appreciation. The Council for Part Time Students and the Graduate School Government Association presented a check for 50% of Kean’s obligation to Connie Williams of the Zoological Society, while Student Organization of Kean University, Inc. and the Alumni Association presented a check for the adoption of Sage. The AIMS Club presented chew toys for our rambunctious cougar cub and children from the Child Care Center presented their gift, a piggy bank filled with pennies, to the zoo staff. And upon learning that Sage’s favorite toy is a soccer ball, Student Organization President and soccer great, Chimaobi Odumuko, representing the soccer team, presented a bag full of soccer balls to warm the heart of our young mascot. With the presentations drawing to an end, eager visitors began to vacate the food court and walk to the zoo’s Cougar Exhibit for Sage’s unveiling. Wide-eyed children, and adults alike, leaned against the fence to get an up-close look at Kean’s mascots. Scout, lying in the shade of the first exhibit area, slowly rose and sauntered to the fence to see what all the fuss was about. And then, as if on cue, Sage came running and
You Are Getting Very Sleepy … By Laura Pointon, Class of 2005 On Wednesday, October 6, Kean students attended ‘Hypnotism and Beyond’, a comedy hypnosis show in the University Center Little Theatre. Nationally celebrated hypnotist Kevin Ford dazzled the crowd with his hilarious hypnotism abilities that left spectators in awe. He started the event by engaging his audience in an activity that would determine who is susceptible to hypnotism. Informing his attendees of how the mind works, Ford explained the struggle in believing what you see, what you are told, and what your mind is telling you. Meaning some people are more vulnerable to hypnotism than others and while Hypnotist Kevin Ford witnessing people under hypnosis you may not believe what you see. When Ford asked for volunteers to be hypnotized, nearly the whole crowd rushed to fill the 15 chairs awaiting them on stage. He then proceeded to hypnotize the eager participants. While under hypnosis, he made them imitate driving a car, sing and dance to music while driving, and putting on make-up. Audience members and stage participants were fascinated by the experience, including Hannah Baker, a freshman Interior Design major. She exclaimed, “I thought it was so funny, I’m so glad that I went.” She added, “It was really entertaining. I hope they have an event like this again.” Hypnotism and Beyond was the second event in the Big Events, Little Theatre Fall 2004 series, sponsored by the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development, University Activities Board and the University Center Administration. All events are held on Wednesdays at 8pm in the University Center Little Theatre. Admission is complimentary on a first come, first served basis. Don’t miss the last event in the fall 2004 series – Name That Tune and Krazy Karaoke on Wednesday, December 8 at 8pm.
bouncing out of the shadows of the second exhibit. (The cougars are Scout watches all the excitement placed in separate exhibits until they get acquainted with each other, as Scout is much larger and older than Sage.) Everyone watched as our spirited new addition ran, jumped and bounced herself right into the small pond in her exhibit area. Soaked, shaken, and probably a little embarrassed as well, Sage ran and scurried up the rock wall as the crowd laughed, and sighed, at her misfortune. The day came to a close with a raffle for Kean “Wake Up” coffee mugs filled with candy and a basket full of Kean t-shirts, baseball caps and other promotional items. But, no worries, no one left empty handed, as many Kean visitors were presented with a framed picture of our energetic, young cub to display in their office or home.
Sage leaps onto a log to greet the crowd.
Holiday Vendor Fair DECEMBER 2 FROM 10AM - 6PM UNIVERSITY CENTER ATRIUM CDs, Antique & Silver Jewelry, Star Lights, Handmade Crafts, Winter Gear, Cosmetics, Cougar Care Items, and much MORE!!! Gift Wrapping Available sponsored by University Center Administration (908) 737-5200
Social Work Classes Added The Social Work Department has added the following classes to the spring schedule: Introduction to Social Work and Service Learning, SW-2900 and SW-2901, Section 1 on Thursdays from 9:30am - 12:20pm
H E L AT E S T N E W S S E N T D I R E C T LY T O Y O U R E M A I L . Accounting Job Fair Premiere Stages By Jen Rainho, Class of 2006 Finally, an exciting program comes to Kean University’s students who are seriously interested in a career with the performing arts. John Wooten brings his experience as a Producing Artistic Director to Kean University with the development of Premiere Stages, a new professional actor equity association theater program. This amazing program consists of four components and provides opportunities for Kean Students to work with professional actors, playwrights and designers. An excellent chance for students to gain exposure, the Premiere Stages Play Festival, gives students the opportunity to submit original un-produced and unpublished scripts, and have them publicly read. Some of these scripts will be chosen for continued development, while other opportunities include student readings, staged reading and world premiere stage opportunities with professionals for students with potential. Another wonderful component is the Premiere Stages Intern Program. This portion provides internship opportunities in stage management, new play development, audience services, administration, education and theater teaching and design. Interns can earn college credit along with a weekly stipend of $150 and FREE housing. And if those portions of the program aren’t exciting enough, the Premiere Artist Series provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a master class with high profile professional artists. Artists spend a one-day residency at Kean University teaching a master class in the afternoon and then participating in a question/answer session for students and the general public alike. And finally, the program also allows at risk and special needs New Jersey high school students to experience the arts through summer camps, residencies and musical fun with the Premiere Stages Play Factory. Setting up a professional theater will not only increase enrollment but also offer many incredible opportunities for students to implement their passion for writing and the theater – which Kean has never provided in the past. “The mission of Premiere Stages is to celebrate the ideal model for a professional theater in residence at a growing university. I look forward to helping to facilitate President Farahi’s goal of making Kean University the cultural hub for the region,” says John Wooten. A leg up from other Arts Universities, this program gives Kean students an upper hand by experiencing what it is like to work in a professional union. John Wooten enthusiastically adds “creating an environment with outside professionals allows Kean Students to get an idea of how professional artists work.” And to drive this point home, John Wooten has plans to add a Soap Master Class, enabling students to work with daytime drama actors and have their performances taped. December 1 marks the launch of the Premiere Stages program at Kean. Hand picked Kean students will attend a master class with current artists of Broadway’s Rent and associate conductor, David Truskinoff. Following the master class is a question and answer session in Wilkins Theater at 7pm monitored by Dan Higgins, Executive Director of University Relations. Admission for Kean students is free and only $5 for non-Kean students, so don’t miss this remarkable opportunity to experience the arts in a whole new light. Purchase your tickets today by calling the Wilkins Theater Box Office at (908) 737-SHOW (7469). Students interested in the Premiere Stages program should contact John Wooten at jwooten@kean.edu.
Student Organization of Kean University Inc, in conjunction with Career Services is sponsoring it’s first ever Accounting Job Fair on December 1, 2004. The job fair, held in the University Center room 228 from 12-3pm, will have recruiters from different CPA and Accounting firms looking for interns as well as full time positions. If you have any questions please contact Career Services, and for a listing of companies attending the event, visit www.kean.edu/~career.
TOUCHING TOMORROW TODAY Help Us Continue to Uplift Our Community Connection Entertainment, a non-profit organization initiated by James Grant, professional choreographer and Kean University's very own Venus Banks (graduate student) and Patience Smith (senior), is proud to present its 1st Annual N.J. Community Benefit Dinner. The Benefit Dinner will be held at The Meeting Place in Newark, N.J. on February 11, 2005. Several students, representing urban cities in New Jersey such as: Plainfield, Elizabeth, Newark and Paterson, will be awarded. In addition, you will have the option of participating in a silent auction. Among the finest selected silent auction items are: oil paintings, cruise tickets, gift baskets and other goods/services. So, come feast with us and enjoy a wonderful program! Tickets and auction items are not only tax deductible, but proceeds will help fund next year's scholarships. Advance tickets are on sale for $20.00. To purchase tickets in advance or reserve tickets, please contact James Grant at (973) 687-4658 or e-mail pssmith18@hotmail.com.
Dedicated To Helping Misguided Youth By Jen Bissu, Graduate Student Shakeema Kimble is in her junior year as a Psychology/Criminal Justice major at Kean, and plans to graduate in December 2005. Hoping to make the Dean’s List this Shakeema Kimble semester, she chose to attend Kean University because she wanted a school that would provide her with enough of a challenge. “There’s no sense in going through school if you’re not being challenged,” she says. Crediting the faculty at Kean for a lot of her successes, Shakeema adds, “All the professors I’ve had at this university are extremely helpful and go above and beyond for their students. They’ve always been happy to advise me and help me in every way, shape and form.” Shakeema’s main goal in life is to help people. She initially wanted to become a doctor, then she considered becoming a social worker, but she finally decided that she could do the most good for others as a psychologist in a juvenile detention center. “I want to do anything I can to help them stay out of the system and not get into more trouble,” says Shakeema, explaining that juveniles are very influenced by their peers, and many who commit misdemeanor offenses often end up doing something much worse that lands them in prison. Currently working as an intern with Northern State Prison in Newark, Shakeema’s dedication will surely pay off and help improve many young lives in the future. She declares fervently, “The only thing I want to do is help adolescents. I want to help them pursue their dreams in life. Aside from helping them, everything else to me is secondary.”
SPECIAL REPORT
Chimaobi has been KIDNAPPED!
Outside of the University Center Little Theatre stands a bulletin board of campus activities and events. Two weeks ago, the theme changed to “Kean Park”, a rendition of Kean University using the cartoon stylings of the popular comedy, “South Park”. Some members of Student Organization, including Student Organization President, Chimaobi Illustration by Tracy Pushko Odumuko, were used as the inspiration of the “Kean Park” characters. The display had only been up for one weekend when Kean Park Chimaobi was abducted. Right before Thanksgiving, four more characters, Scott, Katie, Tony and Jen, were kidnapped. Their families and friends held a candlelight vigil over the Thanksgiving break. Chimaobi’s mother organized the event and made this plea, “While the police and FBI have very few leads, we are hoping that Chimaobi and the other victims will be reunited with their families in time for the holidays.” The Cougar’s Byte has been generous enough to offer a reward (a FABulous Tshirt) for any information leading to the Kean Park kids safe return. No one will be prosecuted in any way. Individuals with information concerning this case should take no action themselves, but instead immediately contact Kean Park Missing Persons Unit at cbyte@kean.edu. Ransom demands will be considered. Stayed tuned as we continue to follow this newsbreaking story online at www.cougarsbyte.com.
LETTERS TO CATRICIA The Kean Family, Many of you know Catricia Shaw, a valuable member of the Kean family who works in the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development. But, did you know that Catricia is in the military and currently stationed in Kuwait, serving our country? For this reason, the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development is sponsoring a letter writing campaign. Please help brighten Catricia’s spirits by writing letters (short or long), designing flyers, and/or creating cards and submit them in sealed envelopes to the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development by December 3, 2004 so that we can mail the packet of correspondence that evening. Catricia would love to hear from the Kean community, students and colleagues alike, so let’s wish her our best during this holiday season. Valerie Winslow, Director Office of Student Life & Leadership Development
Kean Star Search By Scott Snowden, Class of 2006 As part of the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development’s “Big Events… Little Theatre” series, the spotlights were on as Kean searched for its stars on Wednesday night, November 10, 2004. Filling the University Center Little Theatre were students looking to see their friends and classmates give it their all as they tried to convince a panel of judges that they were Yolanda Kershaw, 1st Place Variety the most talented. With a dozen Amelia Singh, 1st Place Female Vocalist performances in categories such as male vocal, female vocal, dance and variety, Kean Star Search is sure to be a continuing event.
Joel Tomko, 1st Place Male Vocalist
Two performances for male vocal were a duet by John Power and Ed Perkins and a song by Joel Tomko. Ed Perkins, who played his guitar during the duet is a sophomore at Kean University originating from Missouri. Winning the male vocalist category was Joel Tomko. Tomko has been interested in music for the last thirteen years and wrote his own song for the performance. Competing for female vocalist were junior elementary education major Rosemary Rodriguez, music education major Amelia Singh, occupational therapy major Tynisha Roches and junior Sandra Serrano. Amelia Singh has been singing since the second grade and plays the piano making her rendition an excellent choice for winner of the female vocalist category. The final two categories were performed by “Da Sandhya Celestin for Dance and Yolanda Kershaw, who read poetry, and Timothy Ruiz and Shervla Ojentis, who sang a duet together, for Variety. The group called “Fusion,” comprised of mostly freshmen and the obvious fan favorite, won in the dance category. Winning in the variety category was Yolanda Kershaw with her original poem entitled “Second Choice.” All of the winners received a gift certificate of $100 sponsored by the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development.
Hip Hop Flava Couga Dancas,” “Fusion,” and
Fusion, 1st Place Dance
AICPA Student Scholarship Robert Half International/Accountemps and the AICPA are pleased to offer scholarship to two AICPA student affiliate members. In addition to being an AICPA student affiliate member, a student must be an undergraduate or graduate US citizen pursuing studies in accounting, finance, or information systems to be eligible for the scholarship. The amount of the award is $2,500 for one year. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2005. Application are available at www.aicpa.org/download/nolimits/become/ships/AccountempsAICPA_App.pdf. For more information, visit www.aicpa.org/nolimits/become/ships/index.htm
For bonus news and information, visit our online edition at www.cougarsbyte.com