From the Desk of Executive Director, Dolores Swirin-Yao
April 2024
Astronomy
We had an exciting gathering to watch the partial eclipse on campus.
WCCF friends
Bronxville Rotary Club
Thanks to board member John Priesing, I was invited to speak about the strong positive economic impact of SUNY WCC on Westchester County. The Bronxville Rotary Club is honoring John at its Gala on May 10 and is establishing a scholarship in his name. Here is a link for reservations.
From Left: WCCF Board Member John Priesing, Rotary District 7230 Governor Syed Alirahi, WCCF ED Dolores Swirin-Yao, Bronxville Rotary Membership Chair Martin Schulman.
Collegium
Our Collegium for Lifelong Learning, which offers creative, intellectually challenging courses to retirees and seniors, celebrated its 20th anniversary. I got to visit two classes, the Architecture of New York, and Opera.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Dean Carmen Martinez-Lopez, here with her husband, Ivan Lopez, received a Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award selected by the Women’s History Month committee.
Honor Society
WCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the national honor society for students of two-year colleges, inducted its new members and officers and celebrated the service projects, awards and other achievements of the previous year. Our chapter has been recognized nationally as a 5-star chapter for its service projects like blood drives and suicide prevention work.
Native Plant Sale
We had a huge crowd of gardeners visiting the campus for the annual Native Plant Sale on April 27. Between pre-sale and in-person sale, about 13,000 plants found their way into the community through 650 gardeners, raising roughly $50,000 net for the Native Plant Center’s educational and ecological work. On sale day, nearly all the plants were sold out by about 11:30 am, just halfway through the allotted time of 10:00-1:00, reflecting the growing reputation of the Native Plant Center and greater awareness of the importance of native plants to the environment.
WCCF Board Member Pat Lunka
Open House
The College held a packed open house for prospective students with 370 people in attendance, 30 more than last year, which included presentations by the College’s academic leadership and visits to activities in many different departments at the college. Here was one in our art gallery by Dean Rob Mangione of the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Party Time!
Students who are usually in hoodies and jeans were dressed to the nines for a Student Involvement Recognition Dinner, where students who have taken leadership roles at the college in clubs and other extra-curricular activities were honored at a formal off-campus event. WCC Foundation received a surprise award from the Student Government Association for “offering valued support, assistance and guidance to the student community of the College”!
Recognition Ceremony
New WCCF Board Member Lorna Hawthorne was the keynote speaker at our Academic Recognition Ceremony, where students with GPAs over 3.5, those receiving Curriculum Awards for their achievements in specifics majors, and those awarded the Greta Cohan Personal Development Awards were recognized in the theater of the Academic Arts Building.
Spring Fling
WCC’s Alumni Council, chaired by Lisa Denig and staffed by Alumni Engagement Director Michelle Schleibaum, hosted a successful and fun annual Spring Fling celebration on campus.
Turner School of Construction Management
Students participating in the course held at our Yonkers Extension Center to prepare minority- and women-owned businesses to compete for contracts with Turner and other construction firms celebrated their graduation. Turner will be honored at our 2025 “Transforming Futures Together” Gala for its work with SUNY WCC and the Westchester community at large.
Westchester Changemakers
At an event for Pace University, Dr. Belinda Miles presented the Westchester Changemakers award to our retired faculty member Rose Tan and her husband and Pace alum Bill Kaung.
Zeus
A hilarious performance of the classical Greek comedy Lysistrata, with the clever addition of modern music, was well-acted by engaging student actors.