CMSV Alumnae/i, Students, and Friends Newsletter Spring 2017

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SPRING 2017 ALUMNAE/I, STUDENTS, AND FRIENDS

MOUNT RANKS THIRD NATIONALLY IN STUDENT ECONOMIC MOBILITY

According to a comprehensive new study on student economic mobility by the University of California, Berkeley and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the College of Mount Saint Vincent shares third place among 578 selective independent colleges and universities nationwide. Mount students experience greater upward mobility than those of all but two colleges and universities across the country.

Using data from millions of anonymous tax filings and tuition records from 1999-2013, the college mobility ranking measures Mount Saint Vincent’s share of students who moved from the bottom fifth of incomes as students to the top fifth as adults.

The New York Times highlighted the study in an in-depth analysis of student access to higher education. According to the Times, the study found that lower income students who attend elite colleges do almost as well as their wealthier counterparts, but access to elite colleges

has declined. In short, not many students from financially modest backgrounds attend independent or state schools that serve their mostly advantaged peers. In contrast, the study noted that schools including Mount Saint Vincent have become “vastly larger engines of social mobility” for underprivileged students.

The study rates the Mount as one of the nation’s top colleges in providing exceptional access to students that leads to significant income growth in their post-graduate careers. Importantly, these success rates are equal to or greater than those for students who attend state schools.

“This study reflects what the College of Mount Saint Vincent has been doing since our inception—providing life-changing opportunities for students across the economic spectrum,” said President Charles L. Flynn, Jr. “We are very proud that the College of Mount Saint Vincent is true to the traditions of high quality, transformative education: academic excellence, authentic inclusivity, and ceiling-breaking opportunity.”

He continued, “Our college reflects the Catholic tradition. All are welcome.

Whatever our students’ backgrounds— financially advantaged or financially modest, first-generation or the great grandchildren of alums, Catholic or of some other faith—the Mount transforms lives. We continue to lay the foundation of the American Dream.”

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SCHOLARSHIP TRIBUTE DINNER Mount Saint Vincent will host its annual fundraising gala, the Scholarship Tribute Dinner, at Cipriani 25 Broadway on Thursday, April 27, 2017.

The Mount recognizes individuals at the Scholarship Tribute Dinner whose lives of achievement reflect a profound dedication to their principles, as illustrated by the values of the College’s mission and the charism of the Sisters of Charity. This year, the Mount is proud to honor Frank Kurre and Tal Piccione.

Frank Kurre is a notable industry leader, earning distinction through his service to Fortune 1000 companies, middle market public and private companies, financial in­‑ stitutions, and not-for-profit organizations.

Mr. Kurre is the managing partner of Grant Thornton’s Metro New York and New England market territory, the firm’s largest territory. Mr. Kurre continually supports an array of dynamic, successful organizations.

Prior to joining Grant Thornton, he was a partner at Arthur Andersen LLP. continued on back cover

Dr. Flynn and Pope Francis during the International Forum on Migration and Peace in Rome.

MOUNT ANSWERS POPE’S CALL TO ACTION During the annual International Forum on Migration and Peace recently held in Rome, Mount President Charles L. Flynn, Jr. promised to lead an initiative among Catholic colleges and universities to fulfill Pope Francis’s call to protect migrants—including refugees.

The College, with the support of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), is developing a program to create educational access for refugees at Catholic colleges and universities across the nation. The Mount will also seek to create a registry of displaced scholars and academics, which can be used by all ACCU member institutions to facilitate potential faculty appointments.

“All Catholic colleges are committed to the dignity and worth of every human person,” President Flynn said.

“By facilitating access to higher education, we can demonstrate our commitment to equality and opportunity.”

President Flynn’s announcement reflected the forum’s theme this year: “Integration and Development: From Reaction to Action.” continued on page 3

COLLEGE NEWS

TO KILL OR NOT TO KILL: JUST WAR OR NONVIOLENCE? The 2017 Margaret F. Grace Lecture, “To Kill or Not to Kill: Just War or Nonviolence?

A Conversation with Maryann Cusimano Love, James Turner Johnson, and Rev. John Dear,” will be held at the College on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 7 p.m. in Smith Hall. The event will examine the historical and modern-day context of just war, social justice, and the future of peacebuilding.

tee of Mount faculty and administrators charged with organizing the event. “We are honored to have such an outstanding collection of academics, military advisers, and peace activists participating.”

A group of approximately 80 bishops, theologians, priests, sisters, and laypersons gathered at the Vatican in April 2016 for the Nonviolence and Just Peace Conference, co-sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Pax Christi International. The participants, all experienced nonviolent social justice and peace leaders, rejected the Catholic church’s long-held teachings on just war theory, believing the teachings have too often been used to justify violent conflicts.

This year, the Mount welcomes Maryann Cusimano Love, James Turner Johnson, and Rev. John Dear for the panel presentation. Maryann Cusimano Love is a tenured associate professor of international relations at the Catholic University of America and an expert on international security and peacebuilding, James Turner Johnson is a distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Religion at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, whose publications include Ethics and the Use of Force: Just War in Historical Perspective, and Rev. John Dear is an internationally-recognized voice for peace and nonviolence.

“Given last year’s Vatican Conference, the Margaret F. Grace Committee believes that it is timely to reexamine the competing traditions of just war theory and nonviolence,” said Joshua Shmikler, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the commit-

The Margaret F. Grace Lecture series— subtitled “Where Do I Find Hope?”—was established in 2001 by the late Margaret F. Grace, a Catholic lay leader and philan­ thropist. She founded the Cardinal Suenens Center at John Carroll University to carry

STUDENTS AND ALUMNAE/I PROVIDE AID TO REFUGEES

out the vision and priorities of the Second Vatican Council. The Grace family chose the Mount to be the lecture series’ home beginning in 2016. Dedicated to highlighting ecumenism and social justice, the Margaret F. Grace Lecture series explores topics that are inherent to the spirit and tradition of Vincent de Paul and Elizabeth Ann Seton.

To learn more about the upcoming Margaret F. Grace Lecture, the speakers, and to register, visit: mountsaintvincent.edu/grace.

Kaitlin McGeown spends time with refugee children at a Thessaloniki Greek Orthodox church.

“They’re regular people—only displaced.”

Statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees show that by the end of 2015 the total number people forcibily displaced from their homes worldwide reached 65.3 million—nearly equivalent in size to the total population of the United Kingdom.

That number includes more than 20 million refugees, and increased by 5.8 million from 2014. The ongoing civil war in Syria is a significant factor in the increase. Since the start of the conflict in 2011, 4.81 million Syrians have fled the country and 6.3 million people are displaced internally.

Through academic and service initiatives, members of the Mount Saint Vincent community—including Kaitlin McGeown ’18—are responding to the challenges refugees face. When she decided to participate in an IPSL @ Mount Saint Vincent program in Thessaloniki, Greece, Ms. McGeown knew she wanted to improve lives.

But she didn’t expect to change her own. “I always dreamed of studying abroad,” she said. “Greece appealed because of its rich, ancient history and incredible beauty.” She learned more about the refugee crisis in Syria that led to vast numbers of Syrians—as well as nationals from other locations—to seek asylum in countries including Greece. This made Ms. McGeown’s desire to travel to Greece even stronger.“I knew I wanted to help. It’s a terrible, difficult situation.” A business major, she began studies in international business at Perrotis College.

Ms. McGeown immersed herself in her host family’s daily life, engaged with other students, and spent time exploring the city.

Soon she learned about Thessaloniki Church Anagenesis, a Greek Orthodox church dedicated to providing both physical and spiritual sanctuary to refugees from Syria, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and other areas. Services incorporated multiple faiths and were translated from Greek into English and Arabic. Ms. McGeown helped care for refugee families’ young children during services. “We did things like arts and crafts,” she said. “Kids who didn’t speak

the same language could still have fun together.” Before long Ms. McGeown became a steady fixture at the church, teaching English to refugees, helping in the soup kitchen, and doing whatever else needed to be done.

She also expressed sadness over the refugees’ plight. “School is interrupted for the children. There is a lot of uncertainty.” There are also the living conditions: camps with limited heat and water.

“The guards only stay until nightfall. Issues like sex trafficking are a major problem.”

Since returning to the states, Ms. McGeown has shared her experience with fellow Mount students. “Being [in Thessaloniki] was a life-changing experience,” she said. “I will never forget what I saw and the people I met.” Due to her international experience, Ms. McGeown is committed to continue helping refugees and aspires to forge a career with an international, humanitarian focus.

Mount graduate Danica Luc ’16 also studied abroad in Thessaloniki.

She went in 2015, during the Fall semester of her senior year. A Biology major, Ms. Luc studied agricultural technology at Perrotis College. “I studied two varieties of olive oil plants—koroneiki and arbequina—to find out which grew faster,” she said. continued on page 7

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SPRING 2017

CULTURALLY IMMERSED:

THE CUBA EXPERIENCE Nephthalie Charlestin ’16, Kaitlin Moreno ’18, and several faculty members from Mount Saint Vincent traveled to Cuba last June for a cultural and educational visit. Faculty members included Nina Aversano, Chair and Assistant Professor of Management; Stephanie Berger, Associate Professor of Psychology; Brad Crownover, Assistant Professor of Communication; Rob Jacklosky, Professor of English; Rajkumar Kempaiah, Assistant Professor of Business and Economics; and Teresita Ramirez, Associate Professor of Business and Economics.

Under a people-to-people program established by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury— and administered by the EF Institute for Cultural Exchange—the group visited Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and Santa Clara.

Students and faculty participated in discussions with Cuban people regarding their daily lives, their involvement in their communities, and their challenges and aspirations.

“One of the many wonderful parts of this trip was getting to know the Cuban people,” Dr. Aversano said. “They were warm, embracing, and fun loving.” In spite of “significant political differences,” she added, “we found common ground. It was truly a culturally broadening experience.”

In Havana, the group visited community-run projects, which included a children’s daycare project and a performance art and gymnastics program for disadvantaged youth.

“I have come to understand that Cuba is a country that, despite its troubles, embraces community more than anything in the world,” said Ms. Charlestin. “The Cubans have been faced with so much adversity, yet choose to use their harsh experiences to their benefit.

Through the hardships, Cubans have come to use the country as a great resource and have developed a strong cultural pride.”

“The country and its people changed my life,” said Ms. Moreno. “This program was constructed in such a way that it allowed us to integrate into communities.”

College of Mount Saint Vincent News is a publication of the College of Mount Saint Vincent Office of Institutional Advancement and College Relations.

Madeleine Melkonian Senior Vice President for Admission and External Relations Daniel Regan Director for Development/Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations Editor Leah Munch, Associate Director for College Relations Contributing Writers Brendan Kennedy, Larissa Lytwyn, Meghan McLaughlin ’18 Send all letters to the editor and suggestions for future issues to: College Relations College of Mount Saint Vincent 6301 Riverdale Ave., Riverdale, NY 10471 (718) 405-3341 or collegerelations@mountsaintvincent.edu Send all address changes and alumnae/i updates to: Alumnae/i Relations and Giving College of Mount Saint Vincent 6301 Riverdale Ave., Riverdale, NY 10471 (718) 405-3334 or alumnioffice@mountsaintvincent.edu

In Villa Clara province, the group visited the Che Guevara Mausoleum, which houses the remains of executed Marxist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara and 29 of his fellow combatants killed in 1967 in Bolivia. The group traveled to Remedios where they rode the bici taxi, a three-wheeled pedal-powered rickshaw service popular throughout Cuba. After, the group hopped onto a steamengine train to the site of the Museo de la Agroindustria Azucarera to learn about the sugar industry in Cuba.

The participants even had an opportunity to play baseball with a local sports team. “The Cuban baseball players were especially gregarious and very generous,” Dr. Jacklosky said. “Every stop seemed to challenge us, getting us to think about the long, complicated history between our countries. Watching our students bond with each other and enjoy Cuban culture was among the highlights.”

“The visit was great and fun, but it was so much more than these hollow words,” Ms. Moreno continued. “With all the poverty and struggle that I witnessed, one thing that always stood out was the sense of community—towns and cities came together to make community projects for people of all ages. Not one individual was turned away. I had never felt such a strong sense of community— it is filled with love, friendship, learning, and peace.”

POPE’S CALL TO ACTION continued from front cover

Dr. Flynn joined 250 leaders worldwide, including representatives from the United Nations, the education sector, national and local governments, and international charities and nonprofits, to discuss the complex, global issue of migration. For the wide array of Catholic entities present, the forum sought to create a concert of understanding and effort to serve migrants.

In his forum address on February 21, Pope Francis urged attendees of the “moral imperative” to protect migrants. “We are speaking about millions of migrant workers, male and female…of those exiled and seeking asylum, and of those who are victims of trafficking,” he said. “Defending their inalienable rights, ensuring their fundamental freedoms, and respecting their dignity are duties from which no one can be exempted.”

The new initiative, President Flynn said, “should be a symbol of [Catholic colleges’] shared mission. They can be another beacon of light, one more ray of hope for the human spirit.”

Mount students and faculty at the University of Havana

ECONOMIC MOBILITY continued from front cover

This is not the first time the Mount has stood out as an exceptional institution. The College was recognized in the 2015 Washington Monthly College Guide in the “Best Bang for the Buck” category based on net price. Washington Monthly has also previously ranked the College #26 for social mobility among the best 255 liberal arts colleges nationwide.

To learn more about the College’s national recognition, visit: mountsaintvincent.edu/nationalrecognition.

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COLLEGE NEWS

PROFESSOR PRESENTS AT DEAN’S FORUM IN CHINA Teresita Ramirez, Associate Professor of Business and Economics, presented “The Impact of Study Abroad on Career and Professional Development” during the 2016 International Business School Dean’s Forum at Beijing Normal University in Zhuhai (BNUZ), held November 18-20.

The Mount has an ongoing partnership with BNUZ, annually welcoming international students who have completed two years of undergraduate study outside the U.S. and offering a short-term, credit-granting summer program for students. Last year, 14 BNUZ students participated in the program.

“It is a universal belief that studying abroad brings enormous benefits to a student’s personal growth and knowledge of other cultures,” Dr. Ramirez said in her address. “But more and more research reveals the growing impact that study abroad programs have on the career and

professional development of study abroad alumni.” Studies show that experiences in international education play a significant role in developing skills and core competencies. These skills provide the foundation for job searches, strengthen resumes, and influence career paths.

“The acquisition of these intercultural competencies have allowed study abroad alumni to adapt easier to diverse workplace environments,” Dr. Ramirez said.

Dr. Ramirez also led and moderated a panel discussion, “Business Education Management and Talents Cultivation,” during the conference.

“As an educator, my desire is to create global thinkers among my students—I see it as a critical path to promote global understanding. As educators, we need to continue our efforts to promote

Dr. Ramirez with representatives from Beijing Normal University in China.

international collaboration through our cooperative agreements and joint degree programs.” This collaboration, Dr. Ramirez said, will prepare students for success in the competitive global marketplace.

Mount Saint Vincent recently restored the paintings of the Baptism of Christ and the Marriage Feast at Cana, by Constantino Brumidi or his students, outside the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. The restoration was completed as a gift to the Sisters of Charity of New York in recognition of the bicentennial of the congregation’s establishment in 1817.

GOING GLOBAL WITH SERVICE-LEARNING In an evolving partnership, Mount Saint Vincent and study abroad leader IPSL are expanding the impressive array of international education opportunities available to all Mount students—both undergraduate and graduate. The initiative will proceed under the name IPSL @ Mount Saint Vincent.

The service-learning focused program is among the most academically robust, interculturally literate of its kind in the United States. It empowers students to cultivate equitable relationships, engage in social justice, support sustainable change, and deepen a commitment to our shared humanity across one of 18 international sites. Students collaborate

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with leading service organizations to perform Advocacy Research™, an initiative in which students—through meaningful service—build research skills and provide useful data to organizations around the globe.

For IPSL, the collaboration provides a fully-merited academic seal of approval.

For the College, IPSL @ Mount Saint Vincent reflects a commitment to international study and a life of service.

Options range from short-term programs to independent semester and summer programs, giving participants flexibility as they explore their interests through a

critical global lens. Mount students will earn academic credit through their work and will be guided each step of the way.

IPSL @ Mount Saint Vincent will advise students considering an international study opportunity and will ensure they are fully prepared. They will also work with the College’s Center for Academic Advisement—both on and off campus— to promote the increasing necessity of experiencing an international education.

SPRING 2017

ALUMNA TO BE HONORED AT 105TH COMMENCEMENT Maria T. Vullo ’84, Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services, will receive an honorary doctorate of law and offer the Commencement address to the Class of 2017 on Saturday, May 20. As superintendent, Ms. Vullo is responsible for protecting consumers and markets in New York State from fraud and financial crises, as well as reforming the regulation of financial services to keep pace with the industry’s rapid evolution.

Nominated to the position by Governor Andrew Cuomo and confirmed by the State Senate in June 2016, Ms. Vullo is the first woman to serve as superintendent.

Maria T. Vullo ’84

Ms. Vullo is also an accomplished trial lawyer who has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits, and the New York State Appellate Division.

The College will also present an honorary degree to Laura Anglin, former president of the Commission on Independent Colleges & Universities (CICU). Ms. Anglin currently serves as the chief administrative officer in the Office of First Deputy Mayor Tony Shorris. In this capacity, Ms. Anglin supports the work of a number of New York City agencies, including DEP and Transportation.

FACULTY NEWS AND NOTES Richard Barnet’s (Associate Professor of Fine Arts) sculptures were recently featured at Project Space and Sideshow Gallery in Brooklyn, N.Y. Lisette Dorfman (Assistant Professor of Nursing) recently completed three IRBapproved research projects with graduate nursing students titled, respectively, “The Transition from a Long-Term Home Health Care Program to a Medicaid Managed LongTerm Care Program;” “Patient Perspective of the Diabetes Prevention Program in an Internal Medicine Practice;” and “Comparison of the Lived Experience between Male and Female Nurses.”

Enrico Giordano’s (Associate Professor of Fine Arts) painting “Sum and Parts” was featured in the group exhibition, “Conversations,” at the Upstream Gallery in Hastingson-Hudson, N.Y. in December 2016. After successfully spearheading an international art exchange with P.S. 7 Kingsbridge Elementary School in the Bronx and the Huilcapata School in Cusco, Peru, Professor Giordano traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand in December 2016 to explore a similar partnership.

Gierre J. Godley (Adjunct Professor of Dance) completed his first solo New York City performance season with the all-male dance group PROJECT 44 at the Jack Crystal Theater in June 2016. He was also featured in an off-Broadway, immersive theatre production, The Grand Paradise. The show had its final performance in December 2016.

Kristin Lawler (Chair and Associate Professor of Sociology) presented three papers: “Footloose Rebels: Hoboes, Sabotage, and Offing the Grid” at the 2016 Society for the Anthropology of North America conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia; “Shanty Irish: Roots of American Syndicalism” at the Ireland and the Wobbly World conference at the National University of Ireland, Galway in November 2016; and “Power and Culture: Nietzsche and Syndicalist Labor Politics” at the Nietzsche and

Critical Social Theory: Affirmation, Animosity, Ambiguity conference at San Diego University in January 2017. Additionally, she was interviewed on the radio program “Economic Update with Richard Wolff” in December 2016.

Cynthia B. Meyers’s (Associate Professor of Communication) 2014 book, A Word from Our Sponsor: Admen, Advertising, and the Golden Age of Radio was the recipient of the 2016 Broadcast Historian Award by the Library of American Broadcasting Founda­ tion in April 2016. She also contributed chap­ ters to two books in 2016: “When Worlds Collide: Sharing Historical Advertising Research on Tumblr” in The Arclight Guide to Media History and the Digital Humanities and “The Best Thing on TV: 1960s U.S. Television Commercials” in Films that Sell: Moving Pictures and Advertising. Dr. Meyers was recently featured on NPR’s Morning Edition in a piece titled “In an Ever-Changing Music Industry, Cash for Hits Remains a Constant” and she appeared on the 1960s episode of the Real Mad Men of Advertising on the Smithsonian Channel. Most recently, Dr. Meyers was quoted in Wired magazine’s February 28, 2017 article, “The Tricky Art of Podcast Ads Is About to Get Even Trickier.”

She was also on the screening committee for Radio/Podcast Documentaries for the 2017 Peabody Awards.

Stephen A. Nardi (Adjunct Professor of English) contributed the chapter “The ‘Colder Artifice’: Paul Laurence Dunbar, Countee Cullen, and the Mask of Blackness” to the 2016 book Behind The Masks Of Modernism: Global And Transnational Perspectives.

He also wrote the article, “‘What you were fighting for’: Robert Jordan on Trial in the Classroom,” which was featured in the 2016 book Teaching Hemingway and War.

Stephanie Pietros (Assistant Professor

of English), along with Robert Jacklosky, Professor of English, co-authored a review of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of King and Country: Shakespeare’s

Great Cycle of Kings—performed at BAM in Brooklyn in Spring 2016—in the Winter 2016 issue of Shakespeare Bulletin, published by the Johns Hopkins University Press.

Michelle Scollo (Assistant Professor of Communication) was awarded a $5,000 Advancing the Discipline grant from the National Communication Association [in conjunction with SUNY Purchase] for the New Horizons in the Ethnography of Communication Conference, to be held at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in June 2017.

Dr. Scollo also presented “On ‘Key’ and ‘Feeling’ in being an ‘Introvert’ or ‘Extrovert’” on the panel “Reconsidering Hymes’ Key as Emotion,” and chaired the panel “Identities in Social Interaction” at the Annual Convention of the National Communication Association in Philadelphia, Pa. in November 2016.

Joseph M. Skelly (Professor of History), a major in the United States Army Reserve, was a recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award in June 2016. Dr. Skelly received the award during a ceremony at the Pentagon. The MacArthur Award recognizes company grade officers from the active Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve. Recipients embody leadership qualities demonstrated by General MacArthur, a U.S. five-star general during World War II, and exhibit exceptional ability to ensure their soldiers are trained and ready to meet the highest standards necessary for the United States’ global missions. He was also included—along with Mount President Charles L. Flynn, Jr.—in the 2016 Irish Education 100 list. The list recognizes individuals of Irish descent whose commitment to excellence in U.S. education has left an indelible mark on institutions nationwide.

James Sparks (Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts) had three paintings accepted in “Faces of Humanity: An Exhibition of 20 International Artists” in Gallery 25N, an online gallery for contemporary art.

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COLLEGE NEWS

ANOTHER SLAM DUNK FOR BE YOU STAY TRUE Now entering its third year, the Be You Stay True (BYST) program is continuing to grow and impact children’s lives. Like Facebook and many great enterprises, the group began with friends developing an idea in a college dorm room. Those friends, Andrew Curiel ’18 and Franciso Zeno ’18, wanted to create a youth basketball group that was an alternative to the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union).

Mr. Curiel said he knew many families who didn’t have the resources to pay for leagues and camps, so it was important to keep their group free. The name for Be You Stay True originated from Mr. Curiel’s mentor and local pastor, who often reminded Mr. Curiel of the importance of being true to himself.

Mr. Curiel and Mr. Zeno, both players on the Mount’s Men’s Basketball team, continue learning new ways to enhance their campers’ experience.

“AAU and other programs put a lot of pressure on kids, whether it’s coaches, parents, or friends,” said Mr. Curiel. “We just want to give these kids a chance to have fun, shoot some hoops, and hopefully learn some skills that will allow them to really love the game of basketball.”

He continued, “We’ve had great camps the past two summers. The number of kids has grown from 25 the first year to 40 the second and this year we hope to have so many campers we need to hold it over two days.” The campers range in age from 6 to 14 and all are residents of the Bronx. Mr. Curiel and Mr. Zeno do ongoing outreach through social media and face-to-face networking.

“We know a ton of people in the basketball world so it makes it very easy to connect,” said Mr. Curiel. “Once families find out the camp is free and it’s run by local college kids, they are excited to sign their kids up.”

The camp itself is an all-day affair. Campers participate in various drills that help them improve their game. The most important focus, however, is fun. “We want to show [campers] that basketball doesn’t have to be serious all the time,” said Mr. Zeno. “We want them to have fun while also improving their skills as basketball players.”

During halftime of the January 28 men’s basketball game against Mount Saint Mary College, Mr. Curiel and Mr. Zeno invited a few campers to come on the court during halftime and participate in a shooting skills challenge. Cheered on by fans in the stands and the Mount

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Andrew Curiel and Francisco Zeno with Mount administrators and BYST participants.

cheerleaders, two young brothers had a shooting contest and both won new Be You Stay True t-shirts.

“This is the second year in a row the kids had the chance to come and play on the court,” said Mr. Curiel. “They loved having the crowd cheer for them and the cheerleaders help out. They don’t know the difference between Division I, II, and III, so them being able to be here is an amazing experience.”

The BYST program is getting plenty of support not only from news coverage of their past events by The Riverdale Press and News 12, but by Mr. Curiel and Mr. Zeno’s fellow classmates.

“Each year of the camp we have more and more friends come and help out,” said Mr. Zeno. “This past summer, a bunch of players from the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams showed up to run some drills and help out in other ways. We also had a few Orientation

Leaders come and show their support by cheering on the kids.”

Mr. Curiel and Mr. Zeno have also been able to link their program with the Jr. NBA, the official youth basketball participation program of the NBA, which helps encourage and support youth basketball participation at the grassroots level and improve the overall youth basketball experience for all participants.

By linking up with this program, BYST was able to hold a Jr. NBA Skills Challenge the day after the BYST Day on January 29. Boys and girls came on campus to showcase their fitness through a dribbling, shooting, and rebounding skill competition in two different age groups. The two boys and two girls that won are eligible to participate in the New York regional competition, one of 11 held throughout the country, held at a later date.

Mr. Curiel and Mr. Zeno remain committed to develop Be You Stay True, even after their expected graduation in May 2018. Mr. Curiel dreams of working for the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in the community relations department, while Mr. Zeno, who student-teaches at P.S. 81 in Riverdale, wants to be a coach and mentor to inner-city youth.

SPRING 2017

ATHLETICS The Department of Athletics and Recreation is once again in the midst of a successful athletics season.

During the Fall semester, the Women’s Soccer and Volleyball teams qualified for the Skyline Conference playoffs and nearly all of our teams were represented on Skyline All-Conference teams.

Women’s Soccer won 13 games and earned the #3 seed in the Skyline Conference Tournament. Julia McGowan ’18 set a single season record for goals in a season, scoring 21 in 20 games. Teammate Kelly Gibison ’18 was the only women’s soccer player in the Skyline Conference to have more than 10 goals and 10 assists during the season. Both players were honored with First Team All-Conference accolades.

Women’s Volleyball earned the #6

seed in the Skyline Conference Tournament, led by 2016 Skyline Conference Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Year Tara Maloney ’20. Ms. Maloney was the top attacking player in the conference, leading with 422 kills, and was ranked in the top-25 nationally in total kills and kills/set.

Men’s Soccer finished one game out of the playoffs, after suffering an overtime loss in their 2016 season finale. Kevin Jardines ’17 wrapped up his illustrious career earning First Team All-Conference accolades for the second straight season. Mr. Jardines led the conference with 14 assists and scored six goals, bringing his career total to 39, which is the most all-time in men’s soccer history.

AIDING REFUGEES continued from page 2

She learned about the international Refugee Solidarity Movement’s ThessalonikiEidomeni chapter through word of mouth.

“I sorted out donations and prepared for refugees’ trips to the border. At the border we helped pass out donations while refugees prepared for their next journey [into Europe].”

Ms. Luc said a lot of people don’t realize that refugees come from a wide range of economic backgrounds. “They are across the spectrum. They aren’t all poor. They’re regular people—only displaced.”

She added that people interested in donating to refugee aid organizations should consider colder weather items such as sweaters. “It can get cold at night,” she said. “It’s also important to know your audience. Most of the refugees I worked with are Muslim, so more modest attire is needed, as well as basic toiletries.”

Now preparing for her first post-college position as a medical scribe at a CityMD in Manhattan, Ms. Luc is embracing the future. “I’m planning to enroll in a physician’s assistant program next.”

Women’s Cross Country was led by

Lauramae Cocchi ’19, who placed in the top six in every meet during the season.

Ms. Cocchi wrapped up the season by earning a fifth place finish at the Skyline Championships and a First Team AllConference nod.

Both the men’s and women’s team are looking to build future success, which seems to be bright thanks to the hiring of former Division I cross country runner Raquel Miller as head coach. Ms. Miller ran for three years at Indiana University– Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and has the seventh fastest 5K time in IUPUI history.

Women’s Basketball had another successful season and earned the #4 seed in the Skyline Conference Tournament, led by Brittany Carroll ’17 and Christina Barone ’17. Ms. Carroll and Ms. Barone both joined the 1,000 point club earlier in the season, becoming just the seventh and eighth members of the elusive club in school history. Ms. Barone also became the program’s all-time leader in total assists.

Another alumna, Erika Gillette ’06, brought her passion for science outside the classroom, giving refugee children in camps throughout Greece the opportunity to practice science experiments with practical outcomes. Mrs. Gillette, a visiting instructor in Teacher Education at the Mount, was a co-recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Blossom Hill Foundation, a 501(c)(3) international grant-making foundation committed to serving children affected by conflict.

She received the grant through Blossom Hill’s fellowship program, which provides social entrepreneurs the opportunity to carry out bold ideas aimed at positively impacting Middle Eastern communities— either in country or displaced due to conflict—by developing a project, program, or product for social good.

Mrs. Gillette is the co-founder of HY­POTHEkids, an organization dedicated to providing underserved children the hands-on science and engineering skills they need to thrive in a high-tech society. She used the funding from the Blossom Hill Foundation to assemble kits containing six experiments centered on magnetism and electricity, physics, the living environment, and chemistry, which she brought to children in refugee camps in January 2017.

Men’s Volleyball is currently in the middle of their season and it is looking like another successful run. Tyler Cucullu ’17 has already taken home Skyline Conference Player of the Week honors twice.

Mr. Cucullu also picked up 1,000 career kills, and is only the second player in the program’s history to reach this milestone.

Men’s Baseball traveled to Florida

to start their season in March under the leadership of first-year head coach John Muller. Mr. Muller is a former professional baseball player who excelled in the Chicago Cubs organization. He is a 2007 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC), where he remains the career leader in hits, total bases, and doubles, and he was inducted into the STAC Hall of Fame in 2011.

Women’s Softball traveled to Myrtle Beach, S.C. to kick-off their season under head coach Mark Roldan. After advancing to the semifinals last season, the Dolphins look to take the next step as they return three Second Team AllConference players.

“I’m thrilled to work towards expanding opportunities for STEM education,” Mrs. Gillette said. In addition to her teaching position at the College, she holds a master’s degree in education from Teachers College at Columbia University and is enrolled in its Science Education doctoral program.

Blossom Hill Foundation’s Deputy Director Sheila Renovitch said Mrs. Gillette’s application stood out because of its unique science focus. “It’s a way for children, many whose education has been disrupted by [conflict], to engage in an educational activity that transcends culture and language. They are learning vital skills through simple experiments.”

The impact of these experiments is profound. “You don’t need state-of-the-art labs to explore science,” Ms. Renovitch said. “These children, along with their fam­ ilies, are struggling in war-torn regions.

Their education is on hold. Our goal is to not have a whole generation lost.”

7

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SCHOLARSHIP TRIBUTE DINNER continued from front cover

A certified public accountant, Mr. Kurre is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Public Accountants. He holds a B.S. from St. John’s University, summa cum laude, and an M.A. from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. Mr. Kurre is a Roman Catholic deacon.

Tal Piccione is a reinsurance specialist, with prominent influence across various financial markets. He is the chairman and chief executive officer of U.S. RE Companies, Inc., a company he founded after years of executive experience in the domestic and international fields. His company specializes in financial services, reinsurance brokerage, underwriting management, consulting, analytics, claims and risk management, and investment banking.

He also serves as the non-executive chairman on the Board of Directors for Ultimate Risk Solutions, a leading developer and licensor of technology and software. Active in industry affairs, Mr. Piccione is a passionate spokesperson for public issues affecting reinsurance. He earned an A.A.S. from Pace College and a B.B.A. from Pace University.

The Scholarship Tribute Dinner allows the College to recognize the generosity of scholarship donors and the recipients of their awards.

All proceeds from the gala event directly support scholarships and financial aid awards, providing students the best academic opportunities available, regardless of financial means.

To learn more about the Scholarship Tribute Dinner, the honorees, and to purchase tickets, visit: mountsaintvincent.edu/scholarshipdinner.

SAVE THE DATE REUNION & HOMECOMING WEEKEND October 20-22, 2017 Celebrating Classes 2 & 7 mountsaintvincent.edu/reunion