From the Desk of the Executive Director, Dolores Swirin-Yao
September 2024
The campus is positively buzzing with excitement from the new and returning students this semester, which is our fourth consecutive semester of increased enrollment. Most of us in administrative roles take a shift at the welcome tents, where students learn about student activities and get help with directions around campus.
Academic Convocation, convened by Faculty Senate Presiding Officer Kamil Hamaoui, is the formal launch of the new academic year.
Cornelia Spring, President of the Westchester Community College Foundation Board, presented this year’s Faculty Excellence Awards.
Faculty Excellence for Teaching: Dr. Jody Reifenberg
Faculty Excellence for Service: Professor Chad Thompson
Adjunct Faculty Excellence: Professor Gerald Katzban
Adjunct Faculty Excellence: Professor Donnie Simmons
Cornelia Spring also presented this year’s Faculty Endowed Chairs:
Tom Curanovic, Joseph and Sophia Abeles Faculty Endowed Chair in Alternative Energy Technology
Chad Thompson, Joseph and Sophia Abeles Faculty Endowed Chair in Biology
Diana Berman, Joseph and Sophia Abeles Faculty Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Education
Eric Luther, Frederick Sessions Beebe Faculty Endowed Chair in Journalism
Sofia Rafi and Lizette Martinez, co-chairs of the Joseph and Sophia Abeles Faculty Endowed Chair in Nutrition and Dietetics
Sara Fozard and Peter Grumm, co-chairs of the Harvey Picker Faculty Endowed Chair in Radiation Technology
The Honors College welcomed its eighth cohort of academically talented students to complete a two-year honors-designated associate degree in an academically challenging environment as they are mentored to transfer to renowned universities for two additional years of Bachelor’s Degree studies.
Jalery Arce-Kelly, Nikki Rutledge and Parica Mason, staffed a volunteer table while Jenny Aponte-Paez staffed a scholarship table at the first annual Student Resources Fair.
A Veteran Service and Job Fair event, sponsored by the US Army and US Department of Veterans Affairs, was held at our Yonkers extension center.
The Native Plant Center held a very successful 15th Native Plant Sale at Rosedale Nurseries, complete with presentations by our staff and volunteers. An unexpected visitor was a black swallowtail caterpillar munching on a Zizia plant, to the delight of these two kids and many other visitors. (Photos courtesy of Diane Akhbari, who purchased the plant so that the caterpillar could be safe and sound in a lovely new home, and of volunteer Lena Ryzy.)
In celebration of Latin American Heritage Month, the WCC Art Gallery opened an exhibit by Adrián Viajero Román entitled “Archivos Vivos.” Consisting of a collection of charcoal portraits and materials reclaimed from hardships like Hurricane Maria, Archivos Vivos explores and honors the resilience, strength, and pride of Puerto Rican communities while offering a critical perspective on the histories and struggles shaping their identities. It was exciting to have the artist (far left) in attendance for the opening reception. Joseph Morris (below) serves as the SUNY WCC Art Gallery Director.
