Alumni County College of Morris
advocate
MEET JORDAN ROCK '19 OUR 50,000TH GRADUATE
SPRING 2019
CCM Celebrates 50 Years of Graduating Outstanding Alumni – P.3 Thorlabs: From Home-Based Start-Up To Multinational Company Led By Alex Cable – P.6
|
SPRING 2019 Vol. XLV No. 1
Table of Contents
From the
Director
Outstanding Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Closing CCM’s 50th Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Winners’ Circle – Thorlabs: From Home-Based Start-Up To Multinational Company Led By Alex Cable . . . . . . . . . . 6 Jordan Rock ‘19 Builds Solid Foundation at CCM . . . . . . 8 Ann Conant ‘10, White House Special Assistant . . . . . . . . 9 Chaz Weiner ’13, Maintaining Data at Bloomberg . . . . . . . 9 Scholarship Money for your Children and Grandchildren: Here’s How . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Graduate Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 “I Started Right” Billboard Continues Tradition of Honoring Alumni and Promoting CCM . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Trinidad Native Cindy Rampersad Shares Her Story At CCM Building Groundbreaking . . . . 13 Titan Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Campus Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 NY Yankees Bus Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
I hope you are enjoying the new magazine style of our Alumni Advocate! Please keep sending in your updates so we can feature you in an upcoming issue. This can be done easily from the alumni section of the website or by mailing in the form on page 11 of this issue. We especially want to hear from our entrepreneurs who own a business and would like to be considered for a business profile in “The Winner’s Circle”. (See page 6 for this issue’s entrepreneur.) Thank you to those who joined us for the annual Radio City bus trip to the Christmas Spectacular. While we featured the event on the outside cover of the magazine and on the CCM website alumni activities page, ticket sales were a bit disappointing. Perhaps we need to try something different in the future. If you have any insight on how to increase sales, or suggestions for alternate activities, contact the alumni office. Continuing the celebration of CCM’s 50th Anniversary, a number of activities were enjoyed by alumni, and it was great to have many alumni join us. Be sure to read the story on page 5 for a full recap of this wonderful commemoration of CCM’s history. Thank you to all who participated in these events. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on January 30, 2019 to welcome the construction of a new Advanced Manufacturing/Engineering building. The 31,500-squarefoot facility is expected to open spring 2020.
The CCM Alumni Advocate is published by the County College of Morris, Randolph, N.J. 07869. The Alumni Office is located in Henderson Hall, Room 211 and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Co-Editors: Barbara Capsouras, ‘82 Director of Alumni Relations Mary Ann Kiczek, MAK Communications
Sports Writer: David Artuso, ‘86 Design and Layout: Gina Garcia
Circulation 40,000
2003 and 2006 Bronze Award winner from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.
| 2 |
County College of Morris
| Alumni advocate
A new ticketing procedure was initiated with this spring’s Broadway bus trip to “Pretty Woman” which called for all tickets to be purchased through the CCM Campus Store. It was a bit challenging to complete, and I appreciate the patience of all who tried to navigate it. Like most changes, the process needs to be refined, and we hope to have it working more smoothly in the future. For those of you who went on our Yankee bus trip last year, don’t forget your rained out ticket is still good for another game until July 27, 2019. This year, we will be doing something a bit different. The Yankees have a new program called College Hat Day. Tickets will be offered online through the Yankees website, and the first 200 people who purchase through the offer will receive a special New York Yankees hat with the CCM Titan logo! Tickets will be offered in several different pricing options, and will be open to friends, family, neighbors, etc. There will be an additional cost for transportation which will be limited to one bus. This special County College of Morris Day at Yankee Stadium will be Friday, August 16 against the Cleveland Indians. See details and information on the back page of this issue and at this link https://tinyurl.com/y5tpa48w.
Barbara Capsouras ’82, Alumni Director bcapsouras@ccm.edu
Four Alumni Recognized for their Achievements as CCM Celebrates 50 Years of Graduating Outstanding Alumni By Mary Ann Kiczek Four CCM Alumni had the honor of being the recipient of a County College of Morris Alumni Award as the college celebrated its 50th Anniversary. The awards were presented at the Titan Ball held at the Hanover Marriott on May 3, 2019. The tradition of recognizing some of the college’s outstanding alumni, which began in 2003, is always a highlight held at the close of the college’s academic year.
Steve Eulie ’81, Alumnus of the Year
Amanda Zega ‘97, Alumni Achievement Award Stephen Eulie ‘81 is Executive Vice President (EVP) of The Kessler Group, a Boston-headquartered company that specializes in developing and executing strategies that help financial services companies and their partners solve complex challenges.
In his role as a management consultant, Eulie engages with major US banks to develop and execute business strategies. His areas of specialty include consumer payments, lending, small business financing, credit risk policy and underwriting, and mergers and acquisitions. “My focus is to help clients realize the full potential of consumer financial products for their prospects and customers,” he explained. Over a span of 25 years, Eulie has worked at some of the largest banks, including Citibank and JPMorgan Chase. Just prior to joining The Kessler Group in 2016, he served as EVP at First National Omaha (FNBO), overseeing all of the bank’s consumer deposit, mortgage and lending businesses as head of their Consumer Banking division. He was also President of First Bankcard, a toptwenty U.S. credit card issuer. Eulie holds a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a bachelor of arts degree from Rutgers University. Active in community affairs, as Board Chairman for Habitat for Humanity in Omaha, Eulie worked toward increasing the number of homes built, expanding into underserved areas, and granting no-interest mortgage loans to needy families. He also launched a partnership between FNBO and Operation Hope to assist low-income households in gaining access to the banking system. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the College of St. Mary in Omaha. Eulie and his wife Darlene relocated to Omaha in 2005. They are parents to nine children, three boys and six girls.
Amanda Zega ’97 is a Senior Real Estate Manager with CBRE Group, Inc., a commercial real estate services and investment firm. In this role, Zega is responsible for the management of Class A commercial office property. Her daily work includes hands-on tasks with private third-party ownership. Earlier in her career, Zega worked for Mack-Cali Realty Corporation as a Property Manager; The Gale Company as an Assistant Property Manager and in Support Services for Gale & Wentworth. Active in the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) for more than 16 years, Zega currently serves as Treasurer on the BOMA NJ Executive Board. She is also an ambassador for the Newark Regional Business Partnership and an event committee member for the Newark Public Library. An active member of High Life Ski Club, Zega has served on both the Executive Board and Lodge Committee. She also sits as Secretary on the Executive Board for the New Jersey Ski & Snowboard Council. An active alumna, Zega has twice participated as a panel member during CCM Career Week and was invited by the college to speak at last year’s initiation ceremony for the National Business Honor Society. Zega is a member of the CCM Business Advisory Board. Zega raises funds for the Special Olympics, participating annually in the Lincoln Tunnel Run and the Plane Pull, and attends the nonprofit's opening ceremony, and awards dinner. After completing her studies at County College of Morris, Zega earned a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts degree, both from Montclair State University. Zega comes from a family of successful CCM graduates; her mother, Karen Dinapoli ’04, father, Robert Zega ‘76 and two of her brothers, Jeff Zega ’96 and Ste- Amanda Zega with her brothers (L-R), ven Dinapoli ‘04 are graduates, Tom Zega, Steven DiNapoli ’04; as is her uncle, Douglas Zega Chris DiNapoli, Jeff Zega ‘96 ‘76. Zega’s brothers coached the CCM hockey team. In a recent letter to Dr. Anthony Iocono, Zega wrote, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to give back to CCM. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the CCM community, and thank you for doing a great job.”
Steve Eulie's family enjoying dinner.
Continued on next page. County College of Morris
| Alumni advocate | 3 |
George Muha ‘96, Alumni Service Award
Dee Rincon ‘85, Alumni Humanitarian Award George Muha ’96 credits a CCM writing course, taught by Professor Sander Zulauf (now retired), for revealing an ability for writing that has fueled his career in the transportation industry and beyond. “That class is where I discovered I liked writing and found a voice in my writing that I didn’t know was there,” he explained.
For 20+ years, Muha has worked as a logistics and supply chain consultant. Currently, he is employed by KDL Freight Management, where he is responsible for business growth. A highly regarded industry thought leader, Muha has published articles in trade magazines and is frequently invited to speak at industry conferences. Muha’s talent for writing has led to several successful businesses. In 2007, he created Freight Saving Tips (www.freightsavingstips.com), a blog and podcast venture that provides companies with money-saving ideas around logistics and supply chain. “I created this podcast to share ideas, teach concepts, and interview experts to help listeners stay current in a quickly evolving industry,” commented Muha who is also the developer of an online course on how to “Uncover the Hidden Money Tied up in Inbound Logistics.”
Dee Rincon ’85 is a true humanitarian whose altruistic efforts have impacted thousands of people – both young and older – over the past 25 years. Rincon’s long-term commitment to mental health and wellness programs came to the forefront following the 2017 death of Marisa, her beloved daughter, from suicide. Three months after her daughter passed away, Rincon worked with CCM to exhibit Marisa’s artwork during Suicide Awareness Month. The following year, she established a memorial scholarship in her daughter’s name. During her five-year tenure as a member of the Randolph Municipal Alliance Committee, Rincon helped evaluate programs on substance abuse for the Randolph School District. She is committed to continuing her education, regularly completing courses and programs, and is now a certified leader and presenter on suicide awareness and prevention. She is the author of two booklets – a parent guidebook and one on substance use prevention.
Ten years ago, Muha founded Morris Sussex Sports, a media company that provides live scores and sports coverage for more than 40 high schools in Morris, Sussex and parts of Warren county, drawing 40,000 visitors to the site each month. “I first started Morris Sussex Sports as a hobby, and it just keeps growing,” he commented. Muha promotes CCM on this website http://morrissussexsports.com/ through YouTube videos and ads. Muha gives back to the student community by offering interning opportunities where high school and college students, particularly CCM students, can gain valuable experience in the world of sports journalism and broadcasting. When called upon to take part in a CCM marketing interview, Muha was quick to respond and participate. He is also featured in an Alumni Spotlight on the CCM website. Muha lives in Mendham with his wife Karen and two children Georgi and Ben.
Dee (right) and daughter Marisa. Rincon’s altruistic efforts extend beyond mental health awareness and drug abuse prevention. She is also an active promoter of anti-bullying, having authored a children’s book on the topic. As a trained Rainbows bereavement facilitator, Rincon has provided comfort to hundreds of people suffering from the loss of a loved one. Working with special needs children, Rincon served on the Board of Directors for The Allegro School for children with autism. As a certified crisis first responder, Rincon has worked side-by-side with the Randolph Police Department to assist victims of domestic violence. She regularly shares her deep sense of faith as a leader and educator at Resurrection Parish in Randolph. She is an active member of the CCM Alumni Association, serving in several capacities. Rincon believes she has experienced the best of both worlds, working 15 years in the business world and 15 years for Randolph schools. She has been honored as Distinguished President of the Randolph Kiwanis Club, and she is also the recipient of the Carrington-Swain Award and Hixon Award, given in recognition of years of service.
George, Ben, Karen and Georgi Muha.
| 4 |
County College of Morris
| Alumni advocate
Closing CCM’s 50th Anniversary and Looking Ahead to the Future By Barbara Capsouras CCM’s 50th Anniversary saw a number of activities continue to take place throughout the year. The Alumni Association held a networking Happy Hour at Morristown’s Famished Frog in October. In February, there was a special photo session staffed with a professional photographer who took head shots of alumni for use on LinkedIn profiles. March 1 featured an alumni reception prior to the 50th Retrospective of Dance that welcomed alumni and professors from the CCM Dance Program. Later that month, alumni, students and staff enjoyed a bus trip into New York City – complete with snacks, raffle items and movies – to see the Broadway production of “Pretty Woman.” All were pleased with the wonderful performance of this classic story from 1990. Another well attended alumni reception, held on April 5, preceded the CCM Department of Music, Dance and Performing Arts’ beautiful and touching production of “The Secret Garden!”
Closing weekend is fun-filled event The celebratory 50th Anniversary year closed with a triumphant weekend of events. On Friday, May 3, the Titan Ball (formerly the CCM Foundation Scholarship Gala) was held at the Hanover Marriott, starting with appetizers and elixirs with Adonis and Aphrodite and continuing with Medusa dining and dancing with the Motones. While Greco Roman attire was optional, those choosing to participate made for a very festive atmosphere. The evening’s Silent Auction featured a number of exciting items, including a highlighted donation of a fire pit with four Ashby chairs courtesy of Pelican Shops and alumnus Ken Spilatro. A focal point of the event was the presentation of the 2019 Alumni Awards. (Read more about the awardees beginning on page 3 and on the CCM website.) On Saturday, May 4, the community was invited to join CCM mascot Titus the Titan for a day-long celebration with music, activities, programs, and a special birthday celebration honoring Titus. Student clubs offered a variety of intriguing, fun happenings, while rotating student bands played for the crowd. Picnic food was served, and a special cupcake event and gift unveiling took place! The weekend celebration closed on Sunday, May 5 with the Titan Trot, a certified USATF 5K run/walk that followed a mapped route through the campus. Participants were rewarded for their efforts with a t-shirt and gift bag. The 2019 CCM Commencement will welcome back our first CCM graduate of the first class of 1970, alumnus Terry Backman ‘70 and will introduce CCM’s 50,000th graduate, alumna Jordan Rock ’19. (Read about Rock on page 8.)
Looking ahead to the next 50 years and beyond CCM has come a long way over the past fifty years as it served graduates and the community. The college has earned an excellent reputation for the quality of its liberal arts, performing arts, health and sciences, professional studies and culinary/ hospitality programs. It is fully expected that the coming years will be equally productive and rewarding. Looking ahead, in the relatively near future, the college plans to construct an Engineering and Manufacturing facility, establish a virtual hospital for the health science departments, and expand program offerings in those areas. Additional plans for the future call for expanding CCM’s technology and cyber security offerings to prepare more students with the opportunity to enter these high job growth areas.
| 5 |
Thorlabs: From Home-Based Start-Up To Multinational Company Led By Alex Cable By Mary Ann Kiczek Alex Cable ‘82 is the founder and President of Thorlabs, a company that got its start in the master bedroom of his 900-square foot home in Freehold, New Jersey in 1987. The company, incorporated in November 1989, was founded to serve the laser and electro-optics research market, and is named after Cable’s Labrador retriever Thor. Today, Thorlabs is a global manufacturer of photonic tools and has facilities in the U.S., Germany, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Japan, Brazil and China, with more than 2000 employees worldwide. Headquartered in Newton, New Jersey, Thorlabs makes tools used by scientists working with light and its properties. Cable explained, “We serve the sciences as scientists and engineers who provide instruments that extend the technology available to researchers around the world. This work leads to a positive feedback loop. We provide advanced photonics tools that drive experimental physics, which in turn, leads to further technological advancements.” These advancements support the company’s extensive portfolio of products, now topping 20,000 items.
The reward of advancing science Cable’s biggest reward is seeing the products his company designs and manufactures make their way into research entities around the world. “Our products play a central role in the work of the numerous Nobel Laureates who work with our products, and have become long-term customers and collaborators. It’s inspiring to be a partner to those in the industry who share my passion for scientific advancement.”
Alex Cable with state-of-the-art equipment used in his business.
| 6 |
County College of Morris
| Alumni advocate
Over the years, Thorlabs has had a significant impact on the pace of science. The company is integral to advancement of the work of its 100,000 plus customer base and its growth continues. As Thorlabs continues to expand, it provides employment opportunities and creates a few hundred jobs each year in order to keep pace with its 15 percent year-over-year growth.
The fresh challenges of entrepreneurship A high-school dropout, Cable’s first job as a dishwasher in a restaurant led to roles as chef and restaurant manager. He considered opening his own restaurant, but departed from the industry after deciding that the culinary world would not meet his career expectations. After brief stints at other positions, he returned to County College of
Winner's Circle
The foundation of a successful career
Alex Cable '82 Morris. From there, he earned a bachelor of science degree in physics from Rutgers University and a graduate degree in material science from the Stevens Institute of Technology. In 1984, Cable was recruited by Noble Prize-winning physicist Steven Chu to work in his lab at Bell Labs. Here, he became involved in a series of experiments on a low-temperature atom manipulation technique known as “optical molasses.” When Chu moved to Stanford University, he asked Cable to join him, but Cable declined the offer to pursue an entrepreneurial career. “The thrill of being an entrepreneur is that every day brings new fresh challenges. Facing those challenges head-on gives meaning,” he reasoned. Excellent customer service is the foundation of Cable’s business model. He maintains that it’s important to know your customer, know your product, and be prepared to serve your customers in a way that they indicate they want to be served. In his words, “Listen to your customers, put them first, and build their loyalty.”
In reflecting on his CCM experience, Cable said, “CCM gave me the chance to prove to myself that I was someone who could be educated and gave me the jump start I needed to further my education, trust in myself, and take necessary risks.” Cable encourages CCM students considering business ownership to aim for balance. “While striving for business success can be all-consuming, don’t let it exclude you from living a full life, as to some extent I did. In recent years I’ve tried to rebalance my pursuits, to allow more time for living and nurturing relationships and other passions,” he commented. Many of the passions Cable refers to are reflected through Thorlabs and the involvement the company takes in both industry and community – its support for local STEM initiatives, health and wellness, environment, and the arts. “Here in Newton, I support our local theatre, community college programs, science and engineering efforts in local schools, and athletic-based events that promote health, particularly in our youth,” he ended.
The benefits that fitness bring Running an international enterprise can be stress-inducing, but Cable credits his fitness efforts and participation in endurance sports as his weapon against business pressures. “Competing in sports makes me a better person in business,” he said. Cable advocates for his employees’ personal fitness by offering mountain bikes for lunchtime rides and facilitating gym memberships and race entry fees. In the communities in which Thorlabs is located, the company is known for its sponsorship of local health and fitness events.
Alex Cable believes excellent customer service is key to business success.
County College of Morris
| Alumni advocate | 7 |
Jordan Rock ‘19 Builds Solid Foundation at CCM By Mary Ann Kiczek “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” This often-quoted truism by Walt Disney is how Jordan Rock artfully summarizes her County College of Morris experience. “With a little bit of courage, I was able to find myself and my purpose at CCM,” she commented in a recent interview. Rock was first attracted to CCM as a result of her eligibility for a NJSTARS scholarship, but after a visit, it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the school. “I was one of the top 20 students in my high school class, and I visited many schools. In the end, people were shocked to learn that I did not apply to any other college because I knew I wanted to go to County College of Morris. That’s because CCM wants you to succeed here and grow as an individual. I couldn’t be more grateful and blessed that I got to start my educational journey here,” she said.
A business major active in related activities Jordan is majoring in business administration, after being attracted to the field following accounting courses she completed in high school. “I love having many options and possibilities, and a business degree allows that,” she reasoned.
Bank and other businesses. Jordan went above and beyond what was expected and helped the team bring home the number one spot!” Assistant Professor Jennifer Qvotrup also spoke highly of Rock. “Jordan is one of the most motivated, engaged students I have had the privilege to teach. She is academically gifted and a natural leader who always gives her best effort. She has a great deal to be proud of, yet she is humble and extremely appreciative of the opportunities made available to her at CCM.”
Rock looks to the future Following graduation, Rock plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business at Rutgers at County College of Morris, a partnership between the two schools that gives area residents the opportunity to obtain Rutgers University baccalaureate degrees while staying close to home. She explained, “As a business student, Rutgers was definitely a top school for me. I was excited to learn that I can get my undergraduate business degree from Rutgers at the same campus that made me the student I am today. That and the fact that I can still work at my job and be with my family sealed the deal for me.”
In addition to her studies, Rock serves as president of both Alpha Beta Gamma Business Honors Society and the Young Entrepreneurs of America Business Club. She is a When I heard I was being recognized member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors as the 50,000th CCM graduate, Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Rock also I honestly was moved to tears. works at Saint Clare’s Hospital as an I am extremely honored. The administrative assistant in the training recognition proved to me the center. “I love that I am able to get a great education while I work and save value of all my hard work. for my future,” Rock said.
Business case competition proves to be great learning experience Rock’s capstone achievement at CCM was participating in a business case competition sponsored by Rutgers - Newark. “It was a time-consuming and stressful experience, but it taught me so much – from how to create a marketing plan and manage my time to the importance of clear communication and strong presentation skills. The competition built my confidence and helped me grow both as a student and as an individual.” Assistant Professor Susan Miller commented on Rock’s participation. “Jordan was an amazing member of the CCM team. She helped prepare the business case analysis and presented the case to a panel of judges comprised of executives from M&T
| 8 |
County College of Morris
Career wise, Rock is looking forward to continuing to learn and experience new opportunities. “That may mean moving ahead in the healthcare field or being a project manager at a pharmaceutical company. I would be happy wherever I can continue to learn.“ When she’s not studying or working, Rock likes to spend time with her family, which includes three younger sisters and two wonderful parents. “Whenever we all can find time away from our busy schedules, we
| Alumni advocate
like to be together and go to a class at the YMCA, watch movies, and just catch up,” she commented. In summarizing the profile of CCM’s 50,000th graduate, perhaps Professor Qvotrup said it best, “Jordan makes all of us #CCMProud.”
Ann Conant ‘10, White House Special Assistant Ann Conant ’10 is the Special Assistant to the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, working at the White House for the second time in her career. Following her graduation from CCM, Ann earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Franciscan University of Steubenville. While in college, she worked on several political campaigns, including those of Mitt Romney and Scott Walker. Conant’s first job after graduation was
at The March for Life as Assistant to the President. From there, Conant joined the Heritage Foundation, where she served as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of the Institute for Economic Freedom Opportunity. It was following this position that Conant first worked at the White House as Assistant to the Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. In this role, she managed the operations of the Domestic Policy Council, President Donald Trump’s key policy arm. Just before taking on her current role in the White House, Conant moved to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as Assistant to the Acting Director. In 2018, Conant was named to Forbes 30 under 30 list for Law and Policy. That same year Franciscan University presented her with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Chaz Weiner ’13, Maintaining Data at Bloomberg As companies come to better recognize the value of inclusion, individuals like Chaz Weiner are being tapped for their business savvy and unique skill sets. Weiner, who has spinal muscular atrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy, uses a wheelchair for mobility. Assistants accompany him at the office and help Weiner meet the demands of his job by setting him up on the computer and traveling around the building, in addition to some personal tasks. He uses a wireless mouse and a virtual, on-screen keyboard to type, along with dictation software for speech to text. He makes and answers phone calls through his company terminal by clicking on the screen. Weiner works for Bloomberg, where he started as a mutual fund and exchange-traded fund (ETF) analyst. Along with a team of 25, he maintained the mutual fund and ETF data from around the globe that is available on the Bloomberg Terminal. He is now in charge of maintaining the data for Separately Managed Accounts. While Weiner might be a ‘techie’ by trade, to tap into his creative side, he often takes on side projects, like contributing to news stories. “I also enjoy working with the company’s product development and user experience teams to design enhancements, especially as they relate to building out accessibility features,” he commented. Earlier this year, Weiner mentored a group of graduate students to help develop a solution for making potential employees with a disability feel more comfortable while going through the interview process. In reflecting back on his CCM experience as a student with a disability, Weiner said, “CCM was really the first school that provided the resources and technology I needed in order to be an independent student. The faculty and professors believed in me, and a lot of my success is owed to them.” Following his graduation from CCM, Weiner earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Arizona in 2015.
Scholarship Money for your Children and Grandchildren: Here’s How At a resent CCM Open House, a number of graduates stopped by the Alumni Association table along with their children who were prospective CCM students. The alumni were pleasantly surprised to learn that their children were eligible to apply for the Alumni Scholarship simply based on the fact that mom or dad graduated from County College of Morris! A great reason for their offspring to start their college careers at CCM. One comment overheard was, “My son has no idea what he wants to do.” In such cases, starting out at an affordable, local college allows a student to narrow down their chosen course of study without spending tens of thousands of dollars. “My daughter wants to go to an out-of-state college” is another common refrain. In this case, the answer might be, “She can still do that.” Along with a talented and nurturing faculty, CCM has one of the highest transfer rates among community colleges in New Jersey. Since 1993, more than 170 alumni scholarships have been awarded to qualifying students. Applications are reviewed twice a year for Spring and Fall Awards. Detailed information and an application can be found on the Alumni Section of the CCM website at this link: https://www. ccm.edu/alumni/alumni-scholarships/ Don’t let your child or grandchild miss out on this scholarship opportunity! This past academic year, alumni scholarships were awarded to Connor Brown, Bryton Feinberg, Collin Leahey, and Nicolette Pagano, all children of CCM graduates.
| 9 |
graduate
Updates
The following class notes information was obtained from submitted Alumni Update forms. Graduates who completed work for their CCM degrees in December are officially recorded and listed under January of the following year. By Barbara Capsouras
1971 Michael A. Lynch-Blosse received an A.A. in humanities/social science with a focus on anthropology. LynchBlosse was a member of the first student group to attend CCM. He graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University magna cum laude with a B.A. degree in earth science in 1974 and from the University of South Florida with an M.S. degree in geology in 1977. Lynch-Blosse went on to earn a Doctorate of Jurisprudence (J.D.) in 1984 from the University of Houston. He has worked in the energy industry as an oil and gas professional for more than 35 years, gaining diversified experience with leading independent energy producers and as an industry consultant. He also held corporate technical positions before embarking on a successful career as an independent consultant. Lynch-Blosse retired several years ago when he moved his family from Houston, Texas. He now resides in western North Carolina with his wife Barbara of 42 years, his four daughters, and a growing number of grandchildren. Lynch-Blosse and his wife Barbara own and operate Turkey Creek Farmstead as part of a very active retirement lifestyle. He credits his start at CCM as contributing greatly to the success he has achieved.
1972 John M. Tanzola earned an AAS in business. After CCM, he attended Bloomfield College and earned a B.A. in accounting. Tanzola presently serves on the Alumni Association at Bloomfield College. He retired in April 2018 from The VMC Group where he was a cost accountant.
1974
John and Nancy (Servillo) Koch received an AAS in engineering and an A.A. in humanities/social science, respectively. John and Nancy met at CCM and will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary in August 2019. John went on to receive a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1979 at NJIT. He retired from Bell Laboratories in 2001 after 25 years as a member of the technical staff. Koch continued working as a consultant /senior engineer at Andrew Corporation, Intergis and Humanscale, retiring in 2018. Nancy, after raising three children, helped as a volunteer health care aide with her parents and for a friend at Merry Heart Nursing home. All three children, Jessica, John and Robert attended CCM. The Koch’s grandson Yves applied to the CCM STARS program for 2019. Currently John and Nancy moonlight as musicians in several local jazz and big bands. In 2017,
| 10 |
County College of Morris
John and Nancy returned to CCM and recorded their jazz band in the new CCM recording studio with Todd Collins, associate professor of music.
1978 Fred J. Aun graduated with an AAS in business. Aun, a veteran reporter and Roxbury resident, is the owner and operator of TAPinto Roxbury, a professional, online news site focused on Roxbury Township, NJ. Aun’s journalism background spans three decades and includes positions at The Daily Advance, The New Jersey Herald, The Times Herald-Record, The Star-Ledger, Ziff Davis Media and other publications. Douglas K. Stout earned an AAS in mechanical engineering technology, then from NJIT; a B.S. in environmental engineering technology in 1980; and an M.S. in environmental engineering in 1987. Over the course of his career, he worked in the government sector for the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Region 2; in environmental consulting for NUS Corporation, Malcom Pirnie Inc., and Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation; and in the private sector for Foster Wheeler, managing multiple environmental legacy projects around the world. In 2016, Stout rejoined the environmental consulting field as a Program Manager for Sovereign Consulting Inc., working out of a local office in Mine Hill, NJ on projects across the United States. Stout has been working in the environmental field for over 35 years. Many of the projects he worked on are the result of comprehensive environmental due diligence activities he managed on behalf of his clients, with project locations both in the US and abroad. The projects cover a number of market sectors including manufacturing, petrochemical, ports and harbors, utilities and various government agencies. Stout found that CCM provided an excellent foundation that allowed him to pursue higher degrees in engineering and his career path in the environmental field.
1979 Brendan LaBelle-Hamer received an A.A. in mathematics. He continued his education at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks where he received a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a B.S. mathematics in 1983, followed by an M.S. in engineering management in 2001. LaBelle-Hamer worked for 20 years as a consulting engineer on various projects and has been employed with Alyeska Pipeline for over 16 years in various capacities, currently as Area Operations Manager. He travels throughout the state of Alaska to operate and maintain this national infrastructure. He has been married for 35 years to his wife, Nettie, and they have two children.
| Alumni advocate
Anyone coming to Fairbanks is invited to look Brendan up, and he will take you for an airplane ride.
1981 Jerry Olivo earned an A.A. in business administration. He is employed by Citigroup as a Managing Director, Treasurer ICG Banking. Olivo earned a B.S. in finance from Arizona State University in 1983. In November 2018, Olivo was inducted into the Arizona State University/WP Carey School of Business Hall of Fame.
1982 Margaret J. Boyce earned an AAS in Nursing, followed by a BSN from Florida Southern College in 1985 and has worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 2007. Boyce has been a field nurse educator and now works as a field reimbursement manager. She has specialized in the area of pharmaceutical biologics and the disease states of rheumatology, dermatology and gastroenterology. Boyce is currently employed by LabCorp/Covance and lives in the Dallas, TX area.
1986 David Schaller graduated with an AAS in computer science, followed by a B.S. in computer science from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He holds the title of International Business Development Manager at 3M. Schaller is a board member and President of the Connecticut Odyssey of the Mind.
1987 Christine J. Cullen-Reed graduated with an A.A. in humanities/art option. In 1990, she received an B.A. in art/education from Montclair State University. She is currently an administrative assistant in the office of Student Development and Enrollment Management at County College of Morris. Previously, she was an educator in the Township of Roxbury.
1995 Danielle Stark received an A.A. in humanities/social science. Following graduation, she earned a B.S. in business administration from Centenary College. She is employed by MedPro Systems in Mount Arlington, NJ as a Product Specialist. Previously, she worked at Mars as a Sales Analyst.
1997
1999
Joseph P. Morris earned an A.S. in criminal justice. Morris has been a police chief for more than ten years in Colorado and currently serves as the Chief of Police for the Arapahoe Community College Police Department in Littleton, Colorado. He was a chief in a city jurisdiction in Colorado before coming to his present position. Morris’ department provides police service to three campuses with an enrollment of over 10,000 and a service area population of over 100,000 in the Denver Metro area. Morris retired from New Jersey law enforcement with 27 years of service. Now, he is fulfilling his dream to live and serve the citizens in the American West in Colorado. CCM was a positive and integral part of his future success in law enforcement leadership.
Micah P. Dammeyer received an A.A. in humanities/social science, followed by a B.S. in English language and literature from the Catholic University of America in 2001. He is a Compensation Consultant at Nestlé. He is also President and Guide of Knee Deep Fly Fishing LLC serving the Capital Region. Dammeyer resides in the Washington D.C. area.
1998 Carolyne Casey earned an A.A. in humanities/social science. She is currently an infant teacher at KinderCare. Eric F. Wilsusen graduated with an A.A. in humanities/social science. He was in law enforcement for 31 years, retiring as the Deputy Chief of Police in Jefferson Township in 2016. Currently, Wilsusen is the Director of Child & Youth Protection for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson. In 2019, he took office as Mayor of Jefferson Township. He has been highly involved in his community all of his adult life, currently serving as President of the Lake Shawnee Club and Trustee of Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, in addition to serving on numerous other community boards and organizations. Wilsusen, whose daughter will be attending CCM in the fall, enjoyed his time at CCM and has fond memories. CCM definitely helped him get started!
1972
McGinniss cares for the elderly and leads activities for residents at Sunrise Assisted Living as a Certified Home Health Aide. She thanks CCM for the great experience of participating in the first-ever CCM Talent show in 2010-11.
2014 Natalie (Storms) Lombardi received an A.A. in human services, followed by a B.A. in sociology from Centenary University in 2016. In 2018, she married Timothy Lombardi, and they reside in Nutley, NJ. Lombardi is employed by Storms Associates, LLC as an administrative assistant.
2015
2011 Sandra Hardin graduated with an AAS in nursing. She earned her BSN in nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and an MSN from Walden University. She is a wound care certified nurse (WCC) and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). She works as an admission and discharge RN, a staff RN, and wound care RN at Hackensack Meridian Palisades. She volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corps and the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad. County College of Morris has a special place in her heart. Originally from Uruguay, obtaining her AAS was her “American Dream” come true. The professors made a great impact in her life by influencing her to become lifelong learner. Natalia Londono earned an A.S. in business administration; a B.A. in social work from Seton Hall University in 2013; and an MSW in clinical assessment from Fordham University in 2017. Londono is employed by Department of Children & Families, Division of Child Protection and Permanency for the State of New Jersey.
Emily N. Kimmons obtained an A.S. in early childhood education and graduated from William Paterson University with a B.A. in English literature in 2018. Throughout her college years, she worked for the West Essex YMCA. Kimmons is currently a teacher assistant at Kiddie Academy.
2016 Katelyn E. Kell graduated with an A.S. in business administration. In 2018, she graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in logistics, materials, and supply chain management. She is a Supply Chain Analyst at Reckitt Benckiser.
2017
Melanie R. McGinniss graduated with an AA in digital media technology. She is thankful for her time at CCM. The clubs that she participated in helped her discover her passion for activities and developing new activities.
Michael Scheibe received an AAS. in computer information systemsmanagement. Scheibe is Head of Information Technology at Wurth USA of Ramsey, NJ, where he has worked in various positions since 2001.
Alumni update
in memoriam
County College of Morris
Susan L. Franke AAS Office Systems Technology
In order to keep our records up-to-date, we’d like to know where you are and what you are doing. We’d appreciate it if you would take a minute to fill out this form, include a photo if possible, and mail it to: The CCM Alumni Association, HH 211 County College of Morris OR SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY, 214 Center Grove Road on-line, at www.ccm.edu/alumni/ Randolph, NJ 07869-2086
1974 Michael J. Chirip A.A. Business Administration 1975 Terrance Ryan A.A. Humanities/Social Science
Date:__________ Last 4 digits of Social Security #: X X X - X X - __________ Year Graduated:______ Major/Degree: ___________________
1976 Felicita “Alice” Smolin AAS Business Career
Name:______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________ ______ Last Maiden First MI
1983
Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________
Mary Ellen Gallagher A.A. Business Administration
City:________________________________________________________ State:_______ Zip:__________________
Are you receiving the Alumni Advocate at this address?
Home Phone:__________________________________ Business Phone:__________________________________
l Yes
Thomas D. Suto AAS Electronics Engineering Technology
Email address:________________________________________________________________________________
1985 Arlene Leonhardt A.A. Humanities/Social Science
Additional College(s), Year of graduation, degree, major: ________________________________________________________________________ Current Employer and Job Title: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
1993 Heather A. Macgonigal A.A. Humanities/Social Science
Please give us an update on recent accomplishments (for possible inclusion in the Alumni Advocate). _________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2017
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
$
Sean E. Needham A.A. Humanities/Social Science
l No
County College of Morris
| Alumni advocate | 11 |
“I Started Right” Billboard Continues Tradition of Honoring Alumni and Promoting CCM By Mary Ann Kiczek The second series in the return of the “I Started Right” billboard campaign began posting earlier this year. The marketing effort, which was designed both to honor exceptional graduates and promote the CCM experience, was first launched more than 30 years ago. Read about the latest CCM alumni to be recognized for “Starting Right” at County College of Morris.
Najib Iftikhar ‘92
Sunita Bhargava ’05
“I always knew I wanted to work in hospitality. “I love listening to people, and that’s what hospitality is all about,” said Iftikhar, who began a 25-year career in the hotel business when he was a senior in high school. He worked in operations and sales for Marriott and Hyatt.
Sunita Bhargava is Director of Transfer and Continuing Education at Drew University in Madison NJ. She has more than thirteen years of professional experience in higher education administration with specialties in adult education, transfer admissions and numerous programs for non-matriculated students, including special, visiting, post-baccalaureate and high school student populations. She also has expertise in the development and implementation of undergraduate summer and winter term programs.
Six years ago, when Iftikhar taught his first class at County College of Morris, something magical happened. “A student gave me a high five and said, ‘This is the best class I’ve ever had.’ That hit me in the heart, and I thanked him.” From that point on, Iftikhar was hooked on teaching. Outside of school, Iftikhar sits on the Board of Education in his town. “Education is a key part of my life because I have kids and I teach. I also want to be involved in the community,” he commented. After working for many years in hospitality, in the short time he has been teaching Iftikhar has come to find it very rewarding. “You’re making a difference in someone’s life,” he says. “Nothing is better than that.”
Susanne Kessler ‘00 Susanne Kessler, of Mount Olive, not only learned how to be a better student at County College of Morris (CCM), she also learned a valuable life lesson from her pre-calculus professor that helped her both as a student and with life in general. “He taught me how to consider the various aspects of a problem and then develop a course of action, rather than rushing forward with a solution. Figuring out the right strategy is a life lesson I continue to use,” says Kessler. Kessler went on to pursue a bachelor’s in education from Montclair State University, but as turned out, rather than pursuing a career in education, she took a corporate job in credit and collections. The job paid well, but something was missing for Kessler. Her parents and then fiancé convinced her she would make an amazing teacher. After earning her teaching degree and certification, Kessler began teaching elementary students at the Shongum School in Randolph. Eleven years later, she continues “to enjoy everything” about teaching. The mother of three young daughters, Emma, Kaitlyn and Ava, Kessler also has learned how to juggle multiple responsibilities. Her goal is to earn her master’s degree as a reading specialist. A passion for CCM runs in the family, as Kessler’s father, Paul Licitra, has served on the college’s Board of Trustees for six years, including as chair.
| 12 |
County College of Morris
| Alumni advocate
In 2011, Bhargava graduated summa cum laude from Drew University, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology and writing. She went on to earn a Master of Letters degree from Drew University in 2014. Bhargava often visits County College of Morris as part of her job responsibility to recruit transfer students. “I received a lot of encouragement and support from my advisor Bessie Abdalas and the wonderful instructors I worked with during my time at County College of Morris. I feel blessed to be in the position to pay forward some of what I received here." She credits the strong start she received at CCM for the success that followed in her academic and professional career.
Matt Roché ‘03 When a CCM Professor asked Matt Roché if he had ever thought about transferring to a school like Cornell, he had not. However, given a boost of confidence from his professor, Roche decided that’s where he would go if accepted. Roché was accepted to Cornell and graduated in May of 2005 with a degree in human development and a GPA of 4.08. After graduation, he became a research assistant at Princeton University where he studied Asperger syndrome with the hopes of providing children with improved interventions. The experience led to his acceptance into the doctoral program at Binghamton University, where he researched individuals at-risk for the development of schizophrenia. Roché completed his internship and post-doctoral fellowship in the Division of Schizophrenia Research at Rutgers University before becoming a Lecturer in Rutgers Department of Psychiatry. At present, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at New Jersey City University and Director of Outcomes Research at CHDI Management, Inc. Roché believes his path would have been very different had he not attended CCM after working in retail management for two years. “Without people like Professor Laura Gabrielson and Professor Rafalowski, this would never have happened,” he commented.
Trinidad Native Cindy Rampersad Shares her Story at CCM Building Groundbreaking Trinidad native Cindy Rampersad ’19 grew up in a small village in Trinidad. As far back as she can remember, she had trouble with school, despite her best efforts, which often meant getting up at 3 am to study before classes. She experienced difficulties in writing and in math, and her grades were not good. “I couldn’t understand why I was doing so poorly despite studying so hard,” she commented.
Fotinis Family Dr. Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis ’82, a creative commUNITY learning consultant with a passion for building community, specializes in designing relationships for learning and community. She has extensive experience as an educator on the university, secondary and primary levels and continues to serve the community. Dr. Tsigas-Fotinis initiated and directed the Task Force for Modern Greek Language Standards under American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages, directed high school curriculum for the Department of Religious Education for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. She is a trustee of two foundations: Global Connections Foundation promoting educational diplomacy and international service learning, and for the Jessie Banks Foundation offering scholarships and mentoring. Dr. Tsigas-Fotinis holds a number of certifications and has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. She is often invited to speak at conferences and has many publications and presentations to her credit. At Columbia University, she earned a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy and Master of Education degrees. Her Master of Science in Education is from St. John’s University, and her Bachelor of Arts degree is from New York University. Spyridoula Fotinis, ’17, daughter of Dr. Tsigas-Fotinis, joined CCM as a NJ STARS student in 2015. She was an international studies major and vice president of service for the college’s PTK chapter. While at CCM, Spyridoula Fotinis was named to the New Jersey All-State Academic Team. She also was designated a 2017 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholar – one of only 50 students nationwide to earn this honor.
It was when she came to the United States in 2003 and was tested that Rampersad discovered she had a learning disability. Armed with this new knowledge, she began to teach herself to study differently and graduated from high school. Earning her high school diploma gave Rampersad the confidence to apply to college – the first in her family to do so. At CCM, she studied electronic engineering technology. During the course of her studies, Rampersad was offered an academic scholarship and a summer internship from Glenbrook Technology, a Randolph based company known for its innovative fluoroscopic imaging camera. “At Glenbrook, I learned device assembly, solar and wire-controlled drilling and other skills. Glenbrook offered me a great experience, and the staff there was welcoming and helpful. I am thankful for Glenbrook and for CCM and my wonderful professors,” she commented. Earlier this year, Rampersad was invited to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center at CCM, where she shared her inspiring personal story. You can view it here https://www.ccm.edu/2019/01/30/ manufacturing-and-engineering-center/.
Spyridoula Fotinis has traveled the world as a community service participant with the Eastern Orthodox Church and started the CCM Orthodox Christian Fellowship chapter. She was chosen to speak at the inauguration of CCM President, Dr. Anthony Iacono. Spyridoula Fotinis is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in international studies and sociology at The City College of New York with the goal of building a career in global service work. She works for the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America as the Programs Coordinator and as a representative of the Archdiocese at the United Nations. Dr. Tsigas-Fotinis’ son, Emmanuel, is a 2019 CCM graduate. He was a Music Liberal Arts major. At CCM, he was vice president of the CCM Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) and a student aide in the Office of Campus Life. Emmanuel worked closely with Allison Ognibene, Communications & College Relations Specialist, to promote the different clubs on the CCM campus, through their social media outlets. He plans to attend Rowan University in the Fall.
| 13 |
athletics By David Artuso
Men’s soccer reaches second Sophomore star Corrales shines round of Region XIX Tournament brightly for Lady Titans soccer
A gritty and determined men’s soccer team withstood five postponements, one cancellation and a midseason losing streak to win a Region XIX Tournament game and finish the Fall 2018 season with a .500 record.
In a weather-shortened season that saw them miss out on four matches, including the final three scheduled games of the campaign, the Lady Titans soccer team ended 2018 with a 2-5 record.
The Titans, who finished 8-8 under second-year head coach Kevin Rosenberg, started the campaign 2-0 in allowing only three goals in a road sweep of Chesapeake College and Cecil Community College, in Maryland. But they then endured their first two losses of the season, three postponements and three more losses, scoring just five times in that stretch.
The highlight of the season for CCM, which started the fall with nine players but recruited another handful early on, came in its second home game—an impressive 19-0 rout of Manor College of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. In that victory, every Lady Titan scored at least one goal. It was a match in which, despite an 8-0 lead at halftime, second-year head coach Vincent Catizone wasn’t overly impressed.
But a 4-2 triumph at Ocean Community College started a turnaround that continued for the remainder of the season. Along the way, the offense exploded for routs of 4-0 (over Bergen), 7-0 (against Cumberland) and 7-2 (over Raritan Valley).
“We actually started off really slow,” Catizone told the Youngtown Edition after the game. “So we ended up at halftime being up 8-0. But the game still was not being played very well by us, so we had 20 minutes of good soccer to turn that around, and our girls definitely woke up and went on a scoring fury and scored 11 goals.”
Starting with the win over Ocean, the Titans won five of seven games to earn the ninth seed in the Region XIX Tournament. They then pulled off a thrilling 2-1, double-overtime victory over Union County College in the tournament’s first round, in Berkeley Heights. The game-winning tally was scored by freshman Sebastian Roman Cardona of Dover. The match was CCM’s first for the season against Union. Two previous contests slated against Union had been postponed because of bad weather. Rosenberg’s squad’s season finally ended in the region quarterfinals with a 7-1 loss to eventual champion Camden County College. Sophomore midfielder Chris Rubio, also of Dover, earned top individual honors for CCM, earning a spot as a second-team all-Region XIX all-star.
When dust had settled, every Lady Titans player had scored at least once, and Jefferson’s Samantha Corrales, a sophomore forward who led all NJCAA Region XIX Division I scorers in 2017 with 17 goals, had accumulated eight tallies and five assists in a just a two-game span. Her efforts in those games earned for Corrales the Division I Women’s Player of the Week award from the Garden State Athletic Conference. A criminal justice major and Lady Titans’ co-captain, along with sophomore midfielder Caitlin Komatsu of Livingston, Corrales went on to earn second-team All-Region XIX honors in Division I. In an early season interview with the Youngtown, Komatsu praised the team’s effort and spirit. “Everyone who is here wants to be here, and we all get along,” she said. “We all get along, on and off the field. I love my teammates. Just being with everyone playing the sport I love is honestly the best feeling in the entire world.”
Men’s basketball rolls to Region XIX championship There’s only one way to end a historic season: as champions. The CCM men’s basketball team did just that this past winter, capturing the Region XIX Division II title with an 83-76 victory over third-seeded Lackawanna of Pennsylvania. It was CCM’s third triumph of the season over Lackawanna and vaulted the top-seeded Region XIX Division II regular season champions into the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 2 District II tournament, where they lost a tough 66-60 decision to top-seeded and host team Erie (PA) Community College. The men’s team finished the season with an outstanding 23-5 record, including 13-1 in region games. This year’s region title was particularly sweet for CCM, after it went all the way to the region title game in March 2018, only to lose, 76-74, to Ulster County Community College. It motivated the men, said fifth-year head coach
| 14 |
County College of Morris
| Alumni advocate
the Titan Tradition continues Anthony Obery, to not only get back to where they finished last year, but go at least one step further. “It hurt them knowing they were that close to victory, to where they wanted to be, and to lose it all right there at the finish line,” Obery told the Youngtown Edition late in the regular season. “Having that taste so close really pushed the team to their limit this year.” The Titans also shared the Garden State Athletic Conference’s regular-season title with Mercer Community College, with each team finishing 5-1 in conference play. Josh Morris, a 6-foot-7-inch freshman forward from Ewing, and Abraham Kronah, a 6-1 sophomore guard from Linden, earned first-team all-GSAC honors for the season. As a team, CCM team dominated offensively throughout the season, scoring at least 90 points 12 times, including topping 100 points five times. The team’s great margin of victory came in a crushing 107-62 rout of Rowan College at Burlington County in December.
Katz noted that recruiting went very well “because I had more time to reach out to coaches and find players that might already be interested in coming to CCM and didn’t know that was an opportunity for them.” The coach made it clear to the newspaper that she feels fortunate—specifically, “like I hit the jackpot because they are just nice girls, really just nice people, work hard (and they’re) nice to each other.”
Lady Titans volleyball competitive despite sub-.500 record
The team’s success led Obery to tell the Youngtown “sometimes they do struggle with overconfidence.” But it didn’t keep them from ending the 2018-19 season holding the title each player will cherish for a lifetime: Champion.
Women’s basketball shows signs of breaking out Two seasons ago, the CCM women’s basketball program was relegated to club status. Last year, they returned to full status and went 2-20 under first-year coach Alexandra Katz, a former CCM athlete. This past winter, CCM showed it had made additional steps toward a bright future, and the way the Lady Titans closed out the 2018-19 season lends hope to the future. Closing out the campaign at home, Katz’ team routed Manor College, 71-46, to finish with a 5-16 record. The game was the make-up matchup from a contest that had been slated for December 1, and the victory avenged a 73-66 loss at Manor in January. Other highlights for CCM this past winter included 86-12 and 85-24 routs of Bucks (PA) County College and two triumphs over rival Essex County College—47-38 at home in December and a 65-64 thriller at Essex in the Lady Titans’ last game in January. Thanks to a strong recruiting year from Katz, the Lady Titans had 12 players on the roster this past season—twice as many as last winter. “She’s done a phenomenal job rebuilding the program,” Sullivan told the Youngtown Edition early in the season. “Pretty soon we will be the powerhouse.”
One thing the CCM volleyball team’s 2018 record doesn’t show you is how competitive the Lady Titans were. Despite the 4-12 season mark, look deeper into the scores and you’ll see that third-year head coach Amy Berry’s team proved to be a tough opponent for virtually all its opponents last autumn. Eight of the Lady Titans’ matches went either four or five sets, and CCM won a pair of big five-set matches late in the season. And the ladies defended their home court—three of their four victories came in CCM’s Health & Physical Education Building. One of those was a five-set triumph over Bucks (PA) Community College, in which CCM erased a 13-12 deficit in the fifth and final set to pull out a dramatic, 15-13 victory and take the match. CCM’s effort in that match led team captain and outsider hitter Sophia Meola, a sophomore outsider hitter from Dover, to tell the Youngtown Edition, “We’re getting it together.” Middle hitter Brittany Hanna went even further. “This is the best team I’ve ever been on,” she told the newspaper. That team will bring back six of 10 players next season as the Lady Titans attempt to turn some 2018 bright spots into 2019 success.
County College of Morris
| Alumni advocate | 15 |
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Dover, N.J. 07801 Permit No. 263
County College of Morris 214 Center Grove Road Randolph, NJ 07869-2086
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Notice to parents of Alumni: If you are receiving the Alumni Advocate and would like it sent directly to your child, send us your child’s new address. Thank you.
Campus
Events CCM Commencement and Diploma Frame Sale Friday, May 24, 10:00 a.m. Longo Planetarium: “Shapes in the Sky” “Tour of the Planets” “Laws of Attraction” “Edge of Space” “Tiny Worlds” For all 2019 public planetarium shows, check the CCM website at https:// bookstore.ccm.edu/longo-planetarium for dates, information and tickets. CCM Foundation Golf Outing Monday, September 16 Rockaway River Country Club CCM Music, Dance and Performing Arts Department Fall 2019, date and production TBA The Center for Workforce Development at County College of Morris Continuing Professional Education at CCM provides cost-effective certificate and training program solutions
across a multitude of disciplines for individuals and businesses. To learn more about the classes we offer go to the Workforce Development page on the CCM website https://www. ccm.edu/workforce/. CCM Campus Life Discount Theme Park Tickets for Six Flags Great Adventure are available. Discounted ski lift vouchers are available beginning in December for Mountain Creek in Vernon, NJ and Shawnee Mountain in Pennsylvania. Check the links on the Alumni Benefits page on the CCM website or call Campus Life for information on how to obtain tickets. Summer Camp for Kids FutureStars Day Camp now offers a summer program of Traditional Camp, All Sports Camp, and Speciality Camp to campers ages 4 – 13 on the CCM campus from Monday, June 24 to Friday, August. 16, 2019. Go to their website https:// www.futurestarscamps.com/ for more information and to register.
Yankee Stadium
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019 7:05 p.m. game • Tickets from: $45 Join the New York Yankees and your fellow County College of Morris Alumni and other members of the CCM community for a fun-filled outing at Yankee Stadium on Friday, August 16 as the Yankees take on the Cleveland Indians. The first 200 people to purchase through this offer will receive a special New York Yankees Hat with the County College of Morris Logo! Purchase your tickts here:
https://tinyurl.com/y5tpa48w A number of ticket options will be offered in the 100, 200 and 300 sections with additional options for all-inclusive Masterpass Batters Eye Deck pregame receptions through the link above. Hats will be available for pick up inside the Stadium prior to the fourth inning on the Main level between Section 217 and Section 223, across from the New Era Team Store. Ticket information will be emailed one day before the event with instructions on how to download your mobile ticket or for pick up at Will Call. CCM Alumni Relations will provide bus transportation to and from the game with very limited space with a maximum of two spots per alumni for an additional $20 per person. Please fill out the form below for your bus reservation. Leave CCM Health Phys/Ed Bldg. at 3:30 p.m. Leave Yankee Stadium at end of game, 9:30 p.m. There is a strict 2 bus pass limit for this trip! Mail order form below with check payable to CCM. Bus passes will be sent out in the order requests are received. Order early; limited seating available. For more information call 973-328 5059.
YANKEE STADIUM • FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019 Name:__________________________________________________________________ No. of Bus Passes:__________
Alumni Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973-328-5059
Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________
General Information on Campus Events (Campus Life) . . . . . . . 973-328-5225
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973-328-5252
Home Phone:______________________________________ Cell Phone #:_____________________________________
Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973-328-5427
Amount Check Enclosed $____________ Email Address:___________________________________________________
Planetarium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973-328-5076
Student ID or S.S.# (last 4 digits)___________________
Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973-328-5054 Center for Workforce Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973-328-5188
Make check payable to CCM and mail to: Alumni Director, HH Suite 211, County College of Morris 214 Center Grove Rd., Randolph, NJ 078692086
heck here if you need a new l CAlumni I.D. Card (Add $5 Fee)