Magazine for Alumni and Friends of the College of Staten Island � SUMMER 2009

PRODUCINGSUCCESSFULCINEMAIsen Robbins’sCSI Experience LaunchedHis Career as a Filmmaker

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Second AnnualFall FestOctober 3, 2009

11:00am to 4:00pm

The Great Lawn

(For more information see

page 28.)

Tasting EventSave the Date

Sunday,October 11, 2009

4:00pm to 8:00pm

CSI Center for theArts Atrium

In the tradition of our well-known

past events,“Taste of Italy”and

“Taste of the Mediterranean,”

theAlumni Association is proud

to present a tasting event that

will feature varied cuisines.

Many Staten Island restaurants

will be showcasing their signature

dishes. It promises to be a feast

for the senses.More information

to follow.

CSI Galato raise funds for student

scholarships

Save the Date

December 5, 2009

Richmond County Country Club

(Information will follow.)

alumni EVENTS

www.csialumniatlarge.org

Volume 1, Number 2

Summer 2009

Tomás D.MoralesPresident

Barbara EshooVice President for Institutional Advancementand External Affairs

Terry MaresEditor

Anita MrozinskiArt Director

Kellie CarnevaleDonna GaramboneTerry MaresDavid PizzutoAnnalisa SuscaStaffWriters

Ken BachBill HigginsPhotographers

Jennifer LynchAssociate Director of Alumni Relations

Janice AwerbuchDirector of Design Services

CSI Alumni AssociationBoard of DirectorsExecutive Committee, 2008 - 2009

Cynthia DiMarco, Esq.‘74President

Arthur Merola,DPM ‘85First Vice President

Theresa Marro ‘89SecondVice President

Louise Brinskelle,CPA ‘80Treasurer

Phyllis Minacapilli ‘91Assistant Treasurer

Linda Dianto ‘74Recording Secretary

James Raggi ‘70Corresponding Secretary

Created and produced by theOffice of Design Services.

Eye on CSI is a publication of the College ofStaten IslandAlumniAssociation,provided to allalumni of the College of Staten Island and itspredecessor institutions, Staten IslandCommunity College and Richmond College.

If you have any comments, suggestions, orinformation for“KeepingTabs,”please contact theOffice of Alumni Relations at 718.982.2290,alumni@mail.csi.cuny.edu, or 2800VictoryBoulevard, Building 1A,Room 111, Staten Island,NY 10314.

contents

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Producing Successful CinemaIsen Robbins’s CSI Experience Launched HisCareer as a Filmmaker

CSI Mourns the Death ofSenator John J. MarchiThe Legacy of Senator Marchi Is Unmatchedand No Institution Benefited More than CSI

Making the World a MoreBeautiful PlaceElena Solitario’s Pilo Arts DaySpa Helps People to Relax and ItGives Back to the Community

departments2 Letter from President

3 Around Campus

10 FeaturedAlumni

13 KeepingTabs

23 Sports Highlights

27 Foundation Notes

ON THE COVER:CSI Alumnus and film producer Isen Robbinsstands in front of posters from some the moviesthat have benefited from his magic touch.

www.csi.cuny.edu

The College of Staten Island was awarded$410,000 in a JobAccess and Reverse CommuteGrant from the NewYork State Department ofTransportation for the operation of the NewCSI - Staten Island Ferry Shuttle.The ferry shuttleoperates direct service from the College’sWillowbrook campus to the St.George ferryterminal.This service currently operates andruns every half-hour from 7:00am until 11:00pmon school days and hourly on non-school days.

“I am so pleased that President Morales initiatedthis program,”says Jonathan Peters, AssociateProfessor of Finance at the College of StatenIsland and a Research Fellow at the UniversityTransportation Research Center. “Every daythat classes are in session,over 1,430 studentsand staff will arrive on campus, each havingsaved over 15 minutes each way in their dailycommute. I have ridden the bus numeroustimes and it is a true joy to reach the terminal

without extensive delay and to have a shuttlewith a high frequency of service – it reallyreduces the stress of the commute.”Petersadds that he expects the shuttle to moveapproximately 217,000 riders this year.

This project was pilot tested in March of 2008and funding for the service was pursued bythe College for full implementation of theprogram for the 2008-2009 academic year.This grant allows the College to pursueadditional funding sources for acquisition ofequipment and support of operating costs infuture years.The College expects that thisservice will significantly reduce traffic on StatenIsland roads, lower demand for parkingservices on campus, and reduce greenhousegas emissions.

Staten Island,with the longest average commutein the nation,has numerous challenges in terms

of mass transit services. This project wasdesigned to directly address transportationneeds that were identified in the PublicTransit-Human ServiceTransportation Planproduced by the NewYork State DepartmentofTransportation in 2006. In that report, theWest Shore of Hylan Boulevard/West Shore ofStaten Island (Zip Codes 10302, 10309, and10314) was identified as a rapidly developingarea that was designated a Priority EmploymentMarket in need of alternative transportation.In large measure,the strong growth has createda geographic mismatch in terms of employmentcenters and low-income worker households.People from 109 Zip Codes in the region arecurrently using the shuttle service,with alarge number of riders traveling on otherforms of transit prior to boarding the shuttle.

CSI POWERS DOWN FOREARTH HOUR

CSI Announces State Funding of FERRY SHUTTLE SERVICE

T he College of Staten Islandjoined otherThe CityUniversity of NewYork

(CUNY) campuses and citiesaround the world on March 28 byparticipating in Earth Hour, aninternational effort to save energyaround the planet by turning offlights and reducing powerconsumption for one hour.

Beginning at 8:30pm, the Collegeturned off its informationalmarquee sign at the campusentrance; lights were turned offin skylit areas of the CampusCenter, the Library, and theCenter for theArts (unlessclasses or events were scheduledthere);and Campus Peace Officers(CPOs) used bicycles exclusivelyfor patrol of the campus.

The Sustainable CUNY Project, aUniversity-wide effort to makeall CUNY campuses greener,encouraged University students,faculty, and staff to take photosof their campuses’ contributionsto Earth Hour. Sustainable CUNYposted a slideshow of thephotos on itsWebsite(web.cuny.edu/about/sustainable.html),and created an electronicnewsletter,WhereWereYouWhenthe LightsWent Out? in an effortto inform the public of CUNY’scontributions to the event.

The College of Staten Island hasreceived about 1,550 newresidents—trees that wereplanted around the campus toadd to those that already thriveon the 204-acre site.

According to James Pepe,Assistant Vice President forCampus Planning and FacilitiesManagement, the trees wereplanted under the auspices ofMillionTreesNYC, an effortlaunched by NYC Mayor MichaelBloomberg and NewYorkRestoration Project (NYRP)founder, Bette Midler.The City ofNewYork Parks & RecreationDepartment has partnered withthe NYRP to plant trees through-out the five boroughs,with agoal of one million trees by 2017.

The first phase of the CSI plantingtook place last April, Pepe says.Colored flags,identifying a specificspecies of tree, that had been

placed around campus,werereplaced with approximately 800large trees. Pepe notes thatconsideration for aesthetics, aswell as the safety of the campuscommunity,was taken intoaccount, as the placement of thetrees was chosen.Mentioning the,sometimes, large spaces betweenthe buildings on the CSI campus,Pepe says,“In an effort to break upsome of the vast spaces betweenbuildings, the new trees flank themajor sidewalks and were placedin clusters in other areas withthe hope of giving the campusmore of a park-like setting.”However, Pepe points out thatthe full effects of these plantingswill be felt in a few decades,once the trees have matured.

The second phase took place onFriday,May 1 during“Dig in,”aCUNY volunteer planting day,where University students, staff,and faculty helped plant about750 smaller trees, in an effort toreforest the area between theretention pond and theelectrical substation near thefront of the campus.Volunteerssimply placed the trees in pre-dug holes; contrary to theevent’s name,no digging wasrequired. Pepe states that all 750were planted on May 1.

CSI’s Campus GETS GREENER

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On May 28 I told the graduating class of 2009 that they have earned a degree that is second to none; thatthey were trained by a world-class faculty, and that they are following in a proud tradition and joining anelite group – the alumni of the College of Staten Island.

I told the Class of 2009 that they are following in the footsteps of distinguished alumni who are leaders,thinkers, and good citizens;who are the backbone of the healthcare industry on Staten Island;who arethe spine of primary and secondary education on Staten Island;who are journalists, entrepreneurs,bankers, engineers, judges, and elected officials;who areYOU and every profession represented by whatyou do and every contribution you make to our society.

The College of Staten Island is a college on the move – our Library is expanding; our science facilities areexpanding; our faculty are increasing the number of research grants they are receiving, their work isbeing published in the best peer-reviewed journals, and they are mentoring over 150 doctoral students;more of our new faculty are being drawn from the most prestigious institutions of higher education;more of our undergraduate students are engaged in research and our students are being accepted intohighly selective graduate and professional programs.

The value of a CSI degree will only continue to appreciate. CSI is on the verge of a new strategicplanning process that is being designed to position our College among the top-tier public universities.It is an exciting time at CSI and I urge you to participate actively – reconnect with classmates and faculty;mentor a student; provide an internship; support our scholarship efforts; return to CSI – learning is alifelong adventure!

I wish everyone a happy, restful, and enjoyable summer.

Sincerely,

Tomás D. Morales, PhDPresident

from the PRESIDENT

John J. Marchi (May 20, 1921 – April 25, 2009)

FRIEND OF THE COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND

The College of Staten Island mourns the death of Senator John J.Marchi, consummate statesman, tireless leader, and staunch friend.The legacy of Senator Marchi is unmatched and no institution

benefited more than CSI.His unwavering support was the foundationof the College of Staten Island and his continued advocacy built ourworld-class campus. Senator Marchi’s influence and steadfastencouragement infused every milestone and achievement theCollege has reached.His presence on the campus and the Island willbe missed, but he will always be remembered at CSI as a foundingfather.The College community sends its deepest sympathy to MariaLuisa, his children, and family.

CSI has had the privilege of counting Senator Marchi as a friend formany decades.His intelligence,probity, and dedication have been ofparticular inspiration, and his commitment to public service hasbeen of immense value to the people of Staten Island,NewYork City,NewYork State, and beyond.

Throughout the 1970s, Senator Marchi was at the forefront of issuessuch as reform of the NewYork City school system and educationalchange.His position as Chairman of the Finance Committee made himinstrumental in dealing with NewYork City’s mid-1970s fiscal crisis.

Senator Marchi made education, from elementary to college, animportant focus.He sat on, or chaired, committees that examined avariety of educational issues from school decentralization to publicschool funding.He was a crucial factor in the formation of theCollege, and played a role in the oversight of CUNY operations.Perhaps his crowning achievement was securing the College ofStaten Island’s 204-acre campus, the land of the formerWillowbrookState School.Throughout the years, he has ensured that CSI receivedthe funding that it needed to improve its services, expand its courseofferings, and conduct vital research.Over 50,000 alumni havegraduated from CSI and most have remained in the greater NewYorkarea.CSI remains the only state-funded college in the borough.

In 2006, Senator John J.Marchi, a native Staten Islander, received anHonorary Doctor of Laws degree from the College of Staten Islandfor his lifelong endeavors to improve the quality of life for everyonein the borough.

THE SENATOR JOHN J. MARCHI VISITING PROFESSORSHIPIN PUBLIC AFFAIRSThe retirement of John J.Marchi from the NewYork State Senateprompted CSI to honor his service and continue the Senator’sapproach of thoughtful, vigorous analysis of public affairs with thecreation of this endowed visiting professorship. Across a range ofsubjects—fiscal policy, education reform, and local governance,

among many others—Senator Marchi maintained a commitment tojudge issues, in his words,“on the merits.” The Senator paid closeattention to the facts, and placed a high premium on careful,dispassionate analysis.The distinguished scholars appointed to theJohn J.Marchi Visiting Professorship will continue this vital tradition.

With the selection of the first Marchi Scholar, Professor CameronGordon from the University of Canberra, Australia,CSI has begun torecruit nationally recognized senior scholars to apply expertise in apolicy area of importance to the Staten Island community for a one-or two-year term.

Staten Island faces public policy challenges that require theapplication of the very best ideas from around the nation and theworld.The Professorship will bring scholars to the College who canresearch, teach, and write about fresh, new approaches in fields oflocal importance such as transportation, environment, community-building, public heath, and housing policy.

In addition to teaching and research duties, the holder of the MarchiVisiting Professorship will work closely with the Center for theStudy of Staten Island—the public affairs arm of the College—to planconferences and develop community projects.Much like SenatorMarchi himself, holders of the Marchi Visiting Professorship will inthe truest sense bridge the gap between the academy and thecommunity by analyzing ideas of practical importance“on the merits.”

THE SENATOR JOHN J. MARCHI PAPERSThe Marchi Papers in the CSI Library Archives & Special Collectionsinclude correspondence, reports, news clippings, press releases,legislative bills, and subject files from 1965 to 1998.The donation ofhis collection prompted Former Assemblyman Eric Vitaliano and thelate Former Assemblywomen Elizabeth Connelly to do the same.Current sitting elected officials have also committed this type ofdonation to the Special Archives at the CSI Library. The Senator’sdonation of his papers to the College in 1999 and his subsequentsupport has established theArchives & Special Collections as the mostimportant resource for the study of Staten Island’s political history.

The subject files document the activities of Senator Marchi andclosely reflect his leadership roles.The Senator’s commitment toeducation is well documented in the subject files.Many of these filesprovide an insight into the inner workings of the state legislature,but the legislative files provide the most in-depth coverage.Theyconsist of correspondence, bills, bill action registers,memoranda ofsupport, and press clippings.There are several boxes of transcripts ofdebates on important bills and a wide collection of photos tracinghis career and accomplishments.

CSIMourns the Death ofSENATOR JOHN J. MARCHI

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M embers of the Marketing Club at CSI took a proactive approachto their studies with a winter break trip toYoung & Rubicam(Y&R), one of the leading marketing and communications firms

in the U.S.

Vitaliy Isikov, the president of the Marketing Club,who is majoring inBusiness with an emphasis in Marketing,says that“I think that the tripwent phenomenally [well].The students were all very inquisitive.”

Prof.Daniel Gagliardi of CSI’s Business Department and the facultyadvisor for the club,notes thatVitaliy had the opportunity to intern atY&R as part of his CSI internship class, BUS 598, and thanks to hisconnections there, he was able to arrange for his clubmates to get afirst-hand look inside a large advertising agency.

Gagliardi recalls that he and the students met with Matt Belson,whois an account executive atY&R.“[Belson] sat down with the studentsand went over what it’s like to work in an agency, how he got hisjob, and he also showed a reel ofY&R’s best commercials.Thestudents talked with him for a good hour about careers in theadvertising business, about the commercials, and about a lot ofdifferent things…It was a good give and take between him and thestudents and the students finally saw what an accounts supervisordoes in an agency.When you hear from a person who’s doing it,rather than from a person who’s teaching it, it means a lot more tothe students.”

As forVitaliy’s previous experience atY&R,he says,“My experience atY&R was fantastic. I loved working there. It was a really greatatmosphere and I worked with some really amazing people.” T he Corporation for National

and Community Servicehonored the College of

Staten Island (CSI) with a place onthe President’s Higher EducationCommunity Service Honor Rollfor exemplary service efforts andservice toAmerica’s communities.

“The College of Staten Island iscontinuing to strengthen itslongstanding tradition of publicservice.The latest nationalrecognition is a reflection of thegreat work that CSI students,faculty, and staff do every day inservice to their community,” saidDr.Matthew Goldstein,Chancellorof The City University of NewYork.

“We are honored by thisprestigious distinction,” said Dr.Tomás Morales, President of CSI,“and I am proud of the hardwork and dedication of ourstudents, as well as the visionaryleadership of our student supportprofessionals who helped makethis possible. As a senior collegeof The City University of NewYork, and the only institution ofpublic higher education onStaten Island,CSI is committedto serving the rich diversity ofour community and city.”

Launched in 2006,the CommunityService Honor Roll is the highest

federal recognition that a schoolcan achieve for its commitmentto service-learning and civicengagement.Honorees for theaward are chosen based on a seriesof selection factors includingscope and innovation of serviceprojects, percentage of studentparticipation in service activities,incentives for service, and theextent to which the school offersacademic service-learning courses.

CSI’s Emerging Leaders Programearned the College high ranks,especially the student participationin the NewYork City Departmentof Homeless Services’ ProjectHOPE survey. The HOPE surveyis conducted annually in Januaryto produce an accurate estimateof the total number of unshelteredindividuals on the streets and inthe subway system.

CSI students also volunteeredwith Habitat for Humanity tohelp build the interiors ofseveral housing units for low-and moderate-income NewYorkers.Habitat is knownthroughout the world for itsunique building model, in whichvolunteers work alongside thefamilies who will own thecompleted homes. In thisexciting project,CSI students

partnered with members ofother colleges in the NYC areaas well as community volunteersduring a holiday break. As the firstlarge-scale building undertakenby Habitat, this project will house41 families in need – double thenumber of homes they producein a typical year.

“In this time of economic distress,we need volunteers more thanever.College students representan enormous pool of idealismand energy to help tackle someof our toughest challenges,” saidStephen Goldsmith, vice chair ofthe Board of Directors of theCorporation for National andCommunity Service,whichoversees the Honor Roll.“Wesalute the College of Staten Islandfor making community service acampus priority, and thank themillions of college students whoare helping to renewAmericathrough service to others.”

Overall, the Corporation honoredsix schools with PresidentialAwards. In addition, 83 werenamed as Honor Roll withDistinction members and 546schools as Honor Roll members.Intotal,635 schools were recognized.A full list is available atwww.nationalservice.gov/honorroll.

The Honor Roll is a program ofthe Corporation, in collaborationwith the Department of Education,the Department of Housing andUrban Development, and thePresident’s Council on Serviceand Civic Participation.ThePresident’s Higher EducationCommunity Service Honor Rollis presented during the annualconference of theAmericanCouncil on Education.

“I offer heartfelt congratulationsto those institutions named tothe 2008 President’s HigherEducation Community ServiceHonor Roll.College and universitystudents across the country aremaking a difference in the livesof others every day – as are theinstitutions that encourage theirstudents to serve others,” saidAmerican Council on EducationPresident Molly Corbett Broad.

Recent studies have underlinedthe importance of service-learning and volunteering tocollege students. In 2006, 2.8million college students gavemore than 297 million hours ofvolunteer service, according tothe Corporation’s VolunteeringinAmerica 2007 study.Expandingcampus incentives for service ispart of a larger initiative to spurhigher levels of volunteering bycollege students in the U.S.TheCorporation is working with acoalition of federal agencies,higher education and studentassociations, and nonprofitorganizations to achieve this goal.

The Corporation for Nationaland Community Service is afederal agency that improveslives, strengthens communities,and fosters civic engagementthrough service and volunteering.The Corporation administersSenior Corps, AmeriCorps, andLearn and Serve America, aprogram that supports service-learning in schools, institutionsof higher education, andcommunity-based organizations.For more information, go towww.nationalservice.gov.

CSI MARKETING STUDENTS INVADE MADISON AVENUE

CSI NAMED TO PRESIDENTIAL HONORROLL FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

As the economy continues to slide, affectingfamilies nationwide, two Peer Mentors atTheVerrazano School at the College of StatenIsland decided to do something to bringsome holiday cheer to Staten Island childrenin need, last December.

Christina Rossi and Stephanie Vlismasorganized aToys forTots Drive to coincidewith the Peer Mentor team’s end-of-semesterholiday party and by the time the collectingwas complete they had receivedapproximately 50 toys, donated by freshman,sophomore, and junior students.

Rossi andVlismas then arranged for the toysto be picked up by the Marine Corps Leaguefor distribution to local children.

Katie Geschwendt,Coordinator ofTheVerrazano School and the FIRST Program atCSI notes that this is the second communityoutreach effort that has been organized bythe Peer Mentors, commenting that Mentorscollected school supplies for P.S.16 duringNew Student Orientation before the fall2008 semester.

As for the toy drive,Geschwendt says that“this was the first Toys forTots drive runthrough the program,but …the Mentors areenthusiastic about making this a recurringevent.”

Explaining one of the reasons for their hardwork and commitment,Geschwendtexplains,“The Mentors felt that it wasimportant to engage new students throughgiving back to the Staten Island community.Many of theVerrazano students grew up onStaten Island and feel a strong connection tothe local schools, so theToys forTots drivewas one way to show their support forStaten Island youth.Through the efforts of

the Mentors as well as the generouscontributions of Verrazano students, thedrive was a success. It is a great privilege towork with students who are conscientiousand motivated, and I am grateful to the PeerMentors for their service to the program andfor organizing theToys forTots Drive.”

Verrazano School Peer Mentors work inteams of two during the fall semester toprovide mentoring for incoming freshmenwithin aVerrazano School learningcommunity.They help freshmen with thetransition from high school to college insome of the following ways: assist withnavigating the CSI campus, organize socialevents for students, communicate withfaculty,keep students updated on programevents and information, organize studygroups for classes, and generally serve as aresource for new CSI students inTheVerrazano School.

VERRAZANO SCHOOL MENTORS BRING HOLIDAY CHEER

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As many students around the country were using their winter breaksto take a breather from the books, seven members of the CSIchapter of Hillel, the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, joined

approximately 92 other Hillel members from colleges and universitiesaround the U.S. to go down to New Orleans and help to rebuild thedamage left behind by Hurricane Katrina.

The CSI students participated in an eight-dayAlternative Break (January4 through 11), and worked eight-hour shifts side-by-side with theowner of a house that had been damaged in the hurricane that haddevastated much of the Gulf Coast in August 2005.The students’work was coordinated by Rebuild New Orleans, an organization thatreports that one out of every 25 New Orleans residents has beenmade homeless by Katrina.

Loren Lemberg,one of the CSI participants, says that she went to NewOrleans“to actually see what Hurricane Katrina had left behind andtry to make a difference in fixing up someone’s home.”She adds,“Iwas impressed that even though there were many students at thissite that three of the homeowners openheartedly decided to join us inhelping rebuild their home.We scraped together,we primed together,and we even formed a bond together.”

Amy Posner, Executive Director of Hillel at CSI, notes that the projectwas funded through a grant from Hillel International. Initially, the CSIstudents were only responsible for covering a registration fee andtheir airfare to and from New Orleans, but the Richmond CountyBank Foundation generously stepped in with a $3,500 grant to payfor the plane tickets.

CSI Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Sociology, and SocialWork,JohnArena, a New Orleans native who experienced Katrina first-hand, briefed the group on what to expect before they left.

This trip to help those in need in New Orleans isn’t the first good deedthat CSI Hillel has done. Posner notes that “we do a lot of differentthings locally. For instance in the winter,we did a hat and glovedrive,we sponsored a multifaithThanksgiving dinner on campus,and we helped the domestic violence coalition in collecting itemsfor the women’s shelter.Community service is a big part of Hillel.”

In the case of the New Orleans effort, Lemberg sums up that spirit.“A quote [from Rabbi Hillel] that we like to follow by is ‘If NotNow…When?’ People believe that there is a future for New Orleans.We as college students are the next generation of successfulindividuals, therefore it is our obligation to make the world a betterplace. If not now…when? If our group of 100 can change a fewfamilies’ lives in a week, then I can just imagine the change we allcan make in the world starting now.”

CSI HILLEL Lends HelpingHands in New Orleans

NYS HonorsPHYSICALTHERAPYDoctoralCandidateBlanca Moreno,part of the Doctorof Physical Therapy (DPT) Classof 2009,has received the 2009MinorityAffairs Award from theAmerican Physical TherapyAssociation,NewYork Chapter.This award, given to only onestudent in NewYork State who iscurrently enrolled in a physicaltherapy educational program,recognizes outstandingcontributions to the physicaltherapy profession.

“It is with great respect andadmiration that I thank the Collegeof Staten Island, especially thePhysicalTherapy Department, forselecting me as the candidate fortheAPTA MinorityAward,”Morenosays.“It would not have beenpossible without their support andtrust in my character and abilitiesas a minority student. All theteachers, staff, and students havebeen an integral part of mylearning and personal developmentas a student. I personally thankDr.Maureen Becker and Dr. JeffreyRothman for giving me thisopportunity to represent theCollege of Staten Island. It is agreat honor and I am very happyto be the recipient of this award.”

In addition, as a result of theaward,Moreno has received$180 toward her AmericanPhysical TherapyAssociationmembership dues.

The Doctoral Program in PhysicalTherapy,which awards the DPTthroughThe City University ofNewYork Graduate Center, isdesigned to prepare students tobecome clinician-scientists whocan perform all aspects ofphysical therapy practice andconduct clinical research.

The College of Staten Island honored its January 2009Associate ofApplied Science Nursing graduates last January in the Center for theArts Concert Hall.

A diverse and eclectic group of 81 graduate nurses received their CSINursing Pins and took the International Council of Nurses Pledgeduring the traditional Nightingale lamp ceremony.

The student speaker was Francis McCarthy,who was chosen for thishonor as a result of her sterling academic record.Christian Narducci,the student chairperson and master of ceremonies for this event,moderated the ceremony and Senator Andrew Lanza addressed thegraduates as the guest speaker.

The graduates dedicated this ceremony to autism awareness andmade a donation in the name of the class of January 2009 to theLittle Miracles Preschool for Autism.The class members also woreflowers with an autism-awareness ribbon.

Two teams of students from NewDorp High School won first andthird place in the U.S.Network ofVirtual Enterprises (VE) state-widecompetition for NewYork lastwinter. As the teams,VE Law andVE Management & Insurance,prepared to head to the 2009National Business PlanCompetition in Manhattan,StatenIsland Borough President JamesMolinaro,CSI President Dr.TomásMorales,and others joined togetherlast March to recognize thisachievement and provide feedback,strategies, and insights as a last-minute fine-tuning to help increasethe students’preparedness before

heading to the nationalcompetition.

New Dorp High School studentTeddy DeVitto,CEO of VEManagement & Insurance Co.,says,“from the [VE] program, I’vegotten leadership skills and I’velearned the value of teamwork.I’ve always been an independentperson, but working inVE hastaught me to rely on othersbecause there is only so muchthat one person can do.”DeVittoalso mentions that VE hasinstilled a sense of patience inhim as he serves as the mediatoramong the different personalitiesin his enterprise.

“TheVirtual Enterprise Programhas been a great success atteaching students leadershipskills, teamwork, and educationalconcepts,” said Molinaro whiledistributing certificates ofaccomplishment and“magic”pensto the students.“I congratulateall of the participants, and amconfident that with the skillsthey have learned as part of VE,they will be successful in theirfuture endeavors. I also would

like to wish them much successat the 2009 National BusinessPlan Competition.”

“I am extremely proud of thestudent teams from New DorpHigh School, as they representmy alma mater. And as an alumnusof CSI, I am also proud of theCollege’s commitment to helpingthem achieve their personal best,”said Herman Dawson,DeputyCommissioner and GeneralCounsel with NewYork City’sDepartment of Juvenile Justice.“Given my line of work, I am alsoespecially proud to see youngpeople take this direction andperform so well.These teamsexemplify excellence, and theirdedication to success is evident.They are a source of pride forNew Dorp,CSI, and Staten Island.They represent all that our youngpeople can be, and are winningexamples of what students canachieve.”

Noting that CSI and New DorpHigh School have a closerelationship,Dean Balsamini,Director of the Small BusinessDevelopment Center at CSI, and

one of the tune-up event’s guests,says“We decided to give them aStaten Island send-off…and givethem an appropriate honor andacknowledgment of whatthey’ve accomplished.”

According to Balsamini,VirtualEnterprise competition involvesstudents in creating business plansfor virtual businesses, presentingthose plans to a panel ofexperienced judges, and fieldingrigorous questions from them.

The tune-up also gave the studentsmuch-needed practice so that theycould compete most effectivelyin the nationals.Commentingthat the guests could“judge thestudents’ presentations from adifferent perspective and for thevery first time,”DeVitto says thatthis would add a new andimportant dimension of insightas the teams competed in thenationals.

In the end, the tune-up paid offas VE Management & Insurancehad an outstanding second-placefinish andVE Law placed in the topsix in the national competition.

Borough President Joins CSI Experts for New Dorp’s Final Tune-upbefore NATIONAL COMPETITION

Following a nationwide searchand extensive campusparticipation,College of

Staten Island President Dr.TomásMorales has announced theappointment of Dr. Jerald Jones-Woolfolk as the newVice Presidentfor StudentAffairs at the College ofStaten Island,effective July 15,2009.

Dr. Jones-Woolfolk has worked atMississippi Valley State Universitysince 2004,serving as InterimVicePresident for Student Affairs andprior to that, as Assistant VicePresident.Dr. Jones-Woolfolk alsoserved in a number of senior-level positions at the Universityof Arkansas at Pine Buff includingDean of Student Life, Presidentof Faculty/Staff Senate, AssociateDean of Students for Residential Life, andAssistant to theViceChancellor for Student Affairs.

Dr. Jones-Woolfolk holds a PhD in Urban Higher Education fromJackson State University, a Master of Science degree in CounselorEducation from Iowa State University, and a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in Psychology from Jackson State University.Her external

activities include presentationsat professional conferences andleadership seminars, andparticipation in several communityand professional developmentactivities. In addition,Dr. Jones-Woolfolk is the recipient of manyprofessional awards and honors.

“I commend the outstanding workof the search committee chairedby Senior Vice President/ProvostWilliam Fritz,”Dr.Morales notes.“The Committee’s diligence andinsight produced an impressivepool of applicants, and its hardwork assured a successfuloutcome of this important search.”

Dr.Morales adds,“I also want tothank InterimVice PresidentMichael Daniels for his

extraordinary service and dedication to our College in assuming theresponsibilities of the division. In this position, as in all positions hehas held at the College,Michael Daniels has served with greatdistinction.When Dr. Jones-Woolfolk assumes her new duties,Michael Daniels will resume his responsibilities as Associate Dean forStudent Affairs.”

CSI President Appoints NEW VP FOR STUDENT AFFAIRSNURSING Pinning Ceremony

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When Isen Robbins ‘91,‘93, son of CSIEngineering and Physics ProfessorIrv Robbins, left Tottenville High

School to come to CSI, he decided tostudy psychology.That plan soon becamesidetracked after he took an elective classin filmmaking.

Robbins recalls,“I’d done a lot of highschool plays with my interest in drama,and I love movies. I decided that it wouldbe fun to take an elective class with

Buddy Giovinazzo at CSI. Buddy put acamera in my hand,which is the first timethat I held a Super 8 camera, and, as I heldit in my hand, it felt a lot like a hammer,like a tool…I fell for the power of thecamera very quickly at that moment and Ithink within a week, changed my major toCinema.He introduced me to the indiespirit,which I got at the College of StatenIsland, that you can be from anywhereand anybody, you can be an absolute

nobody in the film industry, but you havethe power in yourself to accomplishwhatever it is you want to accomplish,which is an unfolding lesson that I’m stilllearning.”

After he earned a Bachelor’s degree inCinema from CSI, Robbins continued onto pursue a Master’s degree in the subjectat the College, but decided,mid-stream, toswitch to NewYork University (NYU).Although he says that NYU was“an

ProducingSuccessfulCinema

Isen Robbins’s CSI Experience LaunchedHis Career as a Filmmaker

Isen Robbins duringa recent visit to CSI

12 13

interesting experience,”and that he“made alot of friends there,”he reports that he“decided that this wasn’t what I wantedeither. After a little roundabout, I came backto the College of Staten Island with anacademic focus and finished a Master’sdegree at CSI.”What brought him back?“Ihad more access to equipment, there werefewer people, and it was more tailored forme, as opposed to stepping into somemachine that just cookie-cuttered peopleout,”he says.

After he produced his first film, The StickyFingers of Time, Robbins decided todevelop a corporate identity, launchingIntrinsic Value Films in 1997 with hiscolleagueAimee Schoof. The duo set out toproduce low-budget,mostly arthouse filmsand, lately, genre thrillers of high quality,and the company’sWebsite notes thatIntrinsic Value“is active in scriptdevelopment and packaging,physicalproduction and post production, domesticand international sales, and finance.” Todate, Intrinsic Value has produced over 20films, including Brother to Brother, TheHebrew Hammer, and XX/XY. Robbinshas worked with stars such as Eartha Kitt,Danny Glover, Eliza Dushku,DavidStrathairn,Marc Rufalo, Andrew McCarthy,Chloë Sevigny,Dominic Monaghan, and Ron(Hellboy) Perlman, to name a few. IntrinsicValue films have also gained a considerableamount of recognition,with premieres atprestigious film festivals like Sundance,Toronto,Berlin,Venice, andTribeca.Brother to Brother was also nominated forfour Indie Spirit Awards.This year Intrinsic

has had two films distributed in theaters, inJanuary The Alphabet Killer, by Anchor Bay,and in May The Skeptic, by IFC Films.Bothfilms are currently available onTimeWarneron demand.

As Robbins and Schoof continued to makefilms under the Intrinsic Value brand, theytook another step forward in 2008, teamingup with writer/producer Kevin Fox(anotherTottenville HS alumnus) to formRed Giant Media. Red Giant’s objective is“to develop and produce original, comicbook- and novel-based science fictionproperties for studio distribution, includingcellular andWebisode digital content.”Robbins says that among the works thatRed Giant will bring to film are the DeepakChopra series The Angel Is Near and TheLords of Light under the title The 36.

Now that he has forged a successful careerin cinema,what does Robbins find mostrewarding about the path that he haschosen?“There’s a bunch of things that Ireally like about what I do for a living.Oneof them is that it’s extremely rare that a dayseems familiar to another. Every day isdifferent, a whole new set of challenges andtriumphs, and victories, and defeats.There’sa tremendous amount of new experiencecoming at me, always. I like beingindependent. If things happen in my world,they happen because of me or one of mypartners. I love movies, too, and alwayshave, and feel that the medium we’reworking in is one of the most powerful,creative tools on the planet and can beused for a lot of different reasons, bothgood and bad.”

Turning to the importance of the messagesthat he and his partners impart, Robbinsadds,“We’ve taken on some of thecharacteristics of the shaman, telling storiesthat move and change the world a little bit.Entertaining is really important too. I lovetelling a good yarn just for the sake of it. Ilike moving people.”

Recalling one instance of moving someone,Robbins says that, after a screening of TheSticky Fingers of Time at Venice, a womanapproached him in tears,which he foundodd because the film was about time travel.She told him that the movie had such animpact on her that she had intended tocommit suicide before she saw the film,butnow she had changed her mind because ofher viewing experience.

What does the future hold for Robbins?Intrinsic Value and Red Giant Media willcontinue to produce and distribute, but,Robbins notes, things will be on a widerscale than before,with larger budgets andbigger audiences.

Isen Robbins looks through the lens of a camera that he used as a CSI student.

FEATUREDalumni

President Dr.Tomás Morales andthe CSIAlumni Board of Directorsheld the second annual receptionfor all CSI faculty and staff whoare also CSI alumni, last April atthe Park Café.The mixture of thegreat atmosphere, great weatherand, of course, strong alumnibonds made the event acomplete success.

The guest speakers,Ms.GloriaGarcia, the director of the SEEK(Search for Education, Elevation,and Knowledge) program at CSI,and Dr.DavidTraboulay, thedirector of the Master of Arts inLiberal Studies program, sharedtheir CSI experiences with theguests, leaving the alumni withdifferent perspectives on how theCollege of Staten Island fosters astrong sense of community anda desire to reach out to others.

Reception for allCSI ALUMNIFACULTYAND STAFFKeeping

Tabs

2001-2009

1986–2000

1970–1985

1955–1969CALLING

ALLALUMNI!Did yourecently?....

•Change careers

•Land a new job

•Get married

•Have a baby

•Adopt a child

•Relocate

•Win an award

•Start a business

•Travel to a farawaydestination

•or do you justhave some pieceof news you’d liketo share with ouralumni family?

If so –we wantto know!Send your class notes towww.alumni@mail.csi.cuny.edu

Once again, alumna and artist Fran D’Atria Romano ’70 led aspecial tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NewYorkCity for CSI alumni and friends.The Egyptian Galleries werefeatured this year with discussions centering on the art, culture,and history of the era, beginning with the MastabaTomb ofPerneb and ending with theTemple of Dendur. Fran was ableto add her own personal stories, having recently returned froma trip to Egypt.Hearing these stories was a definite highlight ofthe evening and made this tour more special.

ALUMNI TOUR THE METwith Fran D’Atria

FEATUREDalumni

1514

FEATUREDalumni

Until just recently,CSI seniorand Biochemistry/Chemistrymajor SaadyahAverick faced

a tough choice. Prior to hisgraduation last May, he had todecide whether he wanted toattend Carnegie Mellon,Tufts,Penn State, Brown,CaseWesternUniversity, or University ofMassachusetts at Amherst.Ultimately, he decided onCarnegie Mellon.

Recalling the role that his CSIeducation played in creating this

bevy of choices, Averick notes,“The education I received at CSIhas enabled me to be exposed tosubjects and concepts that areessential for graduate school andhas allowed me to understandvarious and complex subjectspresented by professors at thegraduate schools that I visited.Theexperience I have gained in thelaboratory has yielded apublication in a prestigiouschemical journal and this was ofgreat importance in my applicationand acceptance to graduate school.”

Averick’s mentor,Dr.KrishnaswamiRaja, Assistant Professor ofChemistry at CSI, calls him“thebest undergraduate researcher Ihave encountered in my careeras a scientist”and adds that “heis full of creative ideas,whichare workable, and is passionateabout chemistry, a rare trait in anundergraduate.”

Averick admits that his “love ofall things outdoor and scientific”gained him a reputation as a“science kid”when he was

younger. In fact, he declared aBiology major when he firstarrived at CSI,with the intent ofbecoming a doctor. Thingseventually changed,however.“Though my love of the biologicalsciences developed early in mylife,”Averick explains,“I onlydiscovered my passion forchemistry later on in my collegecareer,when I began to conductresearch in Dr.Raja’s laboratory. Iwas fortunate enough to meetDr.Raja in my General Chemistry1 class.During the course of the

CSISENIORSWEIGHOPTIONSFOR GRADSCHOOL

SAADYAH AVERICK

Benjamin Hui and Saadyah Averickcelebrate prior to CSI’s SecondAnnual Honors Convocation.

FEATUREDalumni

17

FEATUREDalumni

16

C SI President Dr.TomásMorales told 2,263 studentsat the College of Staten

Island that “the degree youreceive may say ‘College ofStaten Island, The CityUniversity of NewYork’, but ithas the power to take youanywhere you want to go. It is apassport for the rest of your life.”

The student speaker, BesimMehmedovic,who graduated witha Baccalaureate degree in Science,Letters, and Society with highhonors, also earned his NewYork StateTeaching License inElementary Education.

Beyond his academicachievements, he is a veteran ofthe United States Air Force andOperation Iraqi Freedom,and hasearned theAir ForceAchievementMedal for outstanding achievementand/or meritorious service.

In his heartfelt speech,Mehmedovic called“the currenteconomic climate…the primeissue that faces our graduatingclass,”but he called on his fellowgraduates to view the challengesthat the depressed financialsituation brings as opportunities—“the opportunity to see what weare made of…the opportunity torediscover what is most important

in life… and the opportunity [tothink] of our lives in comparisonto others around the world”whohave far less than we do.

While acknowledging the successof the students’ accomplishments,President Morales acknowledgedthe CSI faculty for their“extraordinary scholarship andresearch,”and how their highacademic caliber has attractedmore funding and recognitionfrom state and federal agencies.

Describing CSI as an institutionon the move,with graduates“going on to the most prestigiousgraduate and professional schools,”

Dr.Morales highlighted theCollege’s record enrollment of13,000 and improved infrastructure,with such innovations as the newHigh-Performance ComputationalandVisualization Center and theshuttlebus that runs betweenthe Staten Island Ferry and theCSI campus.

In addition to the presentationof the degrees to CSI students,Dr.Morales and Dr.William Fritz,Provost and SeniorVice Presidentfor AcademicAffairs, bestowedthe honorary degree of Doctorof Humane Letters on author,humanitarian,andVietnam expertLady Borton.

CSI GRADS RECEIVE PASSPORT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES

semester,Dr.Raja noticed myinterest in and understanding ofchemistry and informed me ofresearch opportunities in his lab.In Dr.Raja’s lab, I received my firsttaste of the wonders of chemistry.Nothing paralleled the dynamic andever-changing world of chemistry,and the rewards of creating myvery first molecule,which hadnever previously been observedin nature. After three semestersof fascinating research, I wasabsolutely certain of what to dowith the rest of my life. In light ofmy altered academic ambitions, I

promptly changed my major toChemistry and Biochemistry.”

Under Dr.Raja, Averick says thathis “research experience to datehas been fairly broad, spanningmany disciplines and fields ofchemistry and biochemistry”fromhis first study,which“involvedassisting with the synthesis ofmono-functionalized derivativesof curcumin, a small naturalproduct that exhibits powerfulantioxidant, anticancer, and anti-Alzheimer’s activity” to his latestresearch“the synthesis of uniqueprotein-polymer hybrids for in-vivo

imaging and drug delivery.Thisproject involves the synthesis ofpolymers, the functionalization ofthe polymers,and their subsequentconjugation to proteins.”

His work in the lab has alsofocused on helping to acclimate“new students to the researchenvironment and teaching themhow they can gain the most outof college,”as well as teaching andtutoring Chemistry students.

Now that his time at CSI is at anend,Averick notes that he looks“toward graduate school tostrengthen my knowledge and

understanding of chemistry andits applications in life.PhD trainingwill grant me access to variousskills necessary for success in theindustrial and academic worlds.The years spent in pursuit of myPhD will expose me to manyunique scientific problems. I willgain the knowledge and problem-solving skills that I will need as afuture researcher.Most importantly,I feel that through chemistry Ican help improve the quality oflife and the environment inwhich we live by creating newand useful materials.”

The story of former CSIChemistry major and recentgrad Chin Ming (Benjamin)

Hui is one of perseverance andcommitment, and one of greatsuccess.He has recently reportedthat he has gained acceptance toDoctoral Chemistry programs atCarnegie Mellon University, StonyBrook University,BinghamtonUniversity,andTemple University,but he faced many obstacles onhis road to success.

Benjamin came to the UnitedStates from Hong Kong at theage of 17, barely able to speakEnglish and unfamiliar with U.S.culture, but with a hope tosomeday find a cure for smallpox.The death of his father fromcancer eventually energized hisgoal of pursuing a career inscience.Benjamin recalls that hisfather was skilled in engineering,particularly when it came to fixingelectronics in his family’s home,but his father never received acollege education because he hadto work to support his family.After his father’s death, Benjamineventually came to realize that his

own“tirelessness, studiousness,and intelligence were inheritedfrom my father. I believed hewould want me to use my talentto help people, instead of grieving.Therefore, I promised to savepeople from illness, and helpeveryone stay healthy.That’s whyI am interested in researching inchemistry andmedical technology.”

Eventually,Benjamin,who gainedexperience in engineering in histeens at a computer company,where he had to work to helpsupport his family, came to CSI.“My enrollment at CSI turned mylife 180 degrees.While attendingschool here, I have enjoyedmany opportunities to gain theexperimental knowledge andtheoretical techniques,whichhave satisfied my interest in themathematics and science fields. Ihave also broadened myknowledge and improved mylanguage skills by attendingscientific conferences. In addition,hands-on experiences in thelaboratory, field work, andlectures from graduate studentsand leading researchers have

engaged my mind and capturedmy interest. I believe thatstudying science is the only wayto save the world from globalwarming and defend humanbeings against diseases. That’swhy I am always curious aboutevery matter that is happeningin the science field,which couldnot be demystified by other fields.”

Benjamin also received ascholarship from STEAM,which isshort for Science &TechnologyExpansion via AppliedMathematics, a comprehensive,National Science Foundation(NSF)-funded program thatexpands and supportsundergraduate education in allareas of science, technology,engineering, and mathematics.

Benjamin recalls,“During thesummer semester of 2006, Ibegan a research project inchemistry, namely, the synthesisand characterization of large-pore silica under the direction ofDr.Michal Kruk who is anAssistant Professor at CSI. Weproposed materials that were

appropriated in drug deliveryand catalysis in pharmaceuticalscience,as well as low-k insulatingmaterial,which is useful in theengineering industry. I want tothank Dr.Kruk especially forbabysitting me for more thanthree years.He has taught me alot of knowledge in chemistry,and above all, in research.Hedoes care about my study andfuture.He made me feelconfident again as a foreignspeaker, foreign student.”

As Benjamin pursued his studiesat the College, he still didn’thave an easy time of it, having towork many jobs to support hisfamily. In fact, he was often sotired from working that he wasoften drowsy in class.However,he carried on and gained theknowledge and expertise tomake a number of graduateschools take notice.

As for the future, Benjamin looksforward to a career as aresearcher and to contributingto academic society, after hereceives his PhD.

CHIN MING HUI

19

CSI alumna Elena Solitario ’83has had a long journey toher present-day career as

co-owner and president of PiloArts Day Spa in Brooklyn. Shecame to the United States fromItaly in 1955 and studiedcosmetology at Clara BartonHigh School. Because she had agood grasp of the Englishlanguage, Solitario recalls thatshe wanted to pursue a collegedegree, but she accepted anoffer to become a partner in asalon, instead. While she ranthe salon during the day,Solitario eventually enrolled atthe College of Staten Island tostudy economics, part-time.Remembering her experienceat CSI, Solitario says,“I wasextremely happy with [myeducation at CSI].Most of myprofessors were people in thebusiness world and they didthis at night and they camewith richness and experiencein the topic…So,majoring ineconomics gave me an idea ofhow the monetary worldworks…I feel very fortunatebecause my professors gave mean understanding of howeverything affects the economyand how you can battle it orreinvent yourself. It gives you atremendous understanding ofthe business world,which is soneeded in business, especiallysmall business.”

Solitario used that knowledge toopen the PiloArts Day Spa in 1978,along with her partner from herfirst salon,Paul Pastore. Sincethat time,PiloArts has gained

admission into anumber ofprestigiousassociations,such as theInternational SpaAssociation;Intercoiffure,a world-renowned spa organization;andSalonToday 200,receivingrecognition as one of the top 200NorthAmerican spas.

One of her goals in opening thisfull-service day spa, accordingto Solitario,was to help women,who, at that time,wereincreasingly finding themselvesin the workplace, as familieshad to rely on two incomes tomaintain their standard of living.“When we opened,womenwere going back to the workforceand they had many jobs—theirjob, the rearing of their children,taking care of the household,and even though the husbandscontribute somewhat to takingcare of those things, it [stillmostly falls to the women]. Iwanted to create a place where,for one or two hours, someonecould say,‘Would you like a glassof water or a cup of coffee?’ andsomeone is doing something foryou to relax and de-stress.Whenwe opened, that was thebeginning of women really goinginto the workforce and I feltthat. I felt that it was a changeand it was something that wecould do for them.Of course,later, it became men and women,but it was predominately to givewomen the feeling of someonedoing something for them.”

Beyond helpingwomen to relaxand feelpampered,Solitario has

been extremelycharitable through

her business,donatingservices, such as a day of beauty(including a massage and make-over) and hair stylings to areacharities so that they may raisefunds by offering the services asdoor or raffle prizes.

A personal experience whenshe was young helped toreinforce the importance ofgiving back.“When I first camefrom Italy, I got a phone callfrom the [American] CancerSociety to go around on myblock and ask for donations. Itwas such a humiliatingexperience because peoplelook at you and say ‘Okay,who isthis girl who could hardly speakEnglish?’ and I’m asking formoney for this organization. Iremember that I collected$17.50,”she says with a chuckle.“I realized,”Solitario continues,“that this was a good cause, butpeople are skeptical about giving.So when we opened our doors,because all of our clients areinvolved in different organizations,I couldn’t give them moneybecause I just couldn’t afford it,I decided to give them a serviceso that it could be affordable.Also because I realize theimportance of it and how theyget doors closed right in frontof their eyes when they goasking, I promised myself that I

would never turn anybody away.I would never give them thefeeling that I had when peopledidn’t give me anything.“

The College of Staten Island hasbeen one of the manybeneficiaries of Solitario’s goodworks, as she has donatednumerous days of beauty to theCollege over the years, includingto last spring’s Nursing reunion,and gift certificates for services,as she did for this year’s CSIFoundation Golf Outing, and asgraduation gifts to studentswho received diplomas fromCSI. She has also partnered withthe CSI Alumni Association overthe last three years to host“Spring into Beauty”spa eventsthat treat attendees to a night ofpampering. In recognition of hergenerous support of the College,CSI recognized Solitario with aCollege Award in 2005.

Going beyond her experiencewith theAmerican Cancer Society,Solitario discusses a revelationabout what is really importantabout giving back. “I realized theimportance of what a communityreally is.How could you tell oneof your clients who’s doingsuch fabulous work that you’renot going to donate? I realizethe importance of what they’redoing because a neighborhoodis as good as its people. If allthese people are involved incharitable work and doing goodthings for the neighborhood,that means the neighborhood isgoing to stay sound and peopleare taking care of each other.”

Making theWorld aMore Beautiful PlaceElena Solitario’s Pilo Arts Day Spa Helps People to Relax

and It Gives Back to the Community

I was extremely happy with[my education at CSI].

Elena Solitario andsome of the Pilo ArtsDay Spa facilities.

FEATUREDalumni

20

The College of Staten Island Department ofNursing and the CSI Alumni Associationhosted CSI Nursing graduates; faculty,past

and present;and staff to celebrate all generationsof CSI nurses on May 12, the last day ofNational NursesWeek and, coincidentally,the birthday of nurse Florence Nightingale.The evening honored the 25thAnniversaryof the Bachelor of Science degree inNursing, 42 years of the Associate in AppliedScience, and seven years of the Master ofScience degree in Nursing at CSI.

Dr.Mary O’Donnell,Chairperson of the NursingDepartment,remarked“Everybody that I speak

to tonight is thanking us for doing this…everyone is thrilled. It’s wonderful….we areso happy about it.”She was not alone;most ofthe 235 guests who attended the receptionat Li Greci’s Staaten, felt the same way, as didPeg Kittle,who graduated in the Class of1984.“I owe CSI everything,”she said.“It openedup a new world for me and started me downa path I never expected. I entered college atage 43,with six children.CSI has given mesomething that has lasted to this day; I havelearned so much, and it has kept me going.”

The evening included warm remarks fromCSI President Dr.Tomás Morales on behalf of

the College,expressing how impressed he was.“I think this is a wonderful affinity programfor Nursing alumni…the turnout tonight hasbeen phenomenal and I look forward to awonderful evening,”he commented.

Current faculty provided updates on variousprograms for the attendees.Dr.Arlene Farren,Deputy Chair of the Nursing Department,spoke for the department;Dr.MargaretLunney ’73 discussed the Master’s in Nursing;Dr.Eileen Gigliotti represented the Doctor ofScience in Nursing; and Dr.Marianne Jeffreysgave an update on the Cultural Competencyin Nursing program.

Alumni enjoyed a decadent buffet dinner,greatraffle prizes, and a 50/50 drawing,but mostimportantly the company of their fellowclassmates and professors. Since this hadbeen the first nursing reunion at CSI,manyguests admitted that they were nervousabout attending and wondered if they wouldrun into old friends.However,many of theguests remarked on how happy they were tobe there.Beth Blisenback, from the Class of1976, stated,“I was the last class to graduatebefore the merger [between Richmond Collegeand Staten Island Community College,CSI’spredecessor schools]. It was so nice to comehere tonight; I actually wasn’t sure if I was

going to come….but I’ve bumped into somany people here tonight that I’ve touchedlives with and didn’t even know went to CSI”

The second part of the evening brought morespeeches and memories. First from MarionHudson ’99,President of Mu Upsilon Chapterof SigmaThetaTau. Judith O’Donnell spokeabout her memories of the First Associate’sof Applied Science Class of 1967. LorrainePellechia-Strusinski ’84 spoke on behalf ofthe 25thAnniversary of the First Bachelor ofScience in Nursing and Coleen Kumar spokefor the first Master’s Class of 2002. Shestated,“It is an honor and a privilege to behere tonight with nursing’s finest.”

Dr.Gail Simmons,Dean of Science andTechnology,had the privilege of speakingabout the Joanne D’Amato ’67 NursingScholarship Fund. This scholarship wasrecently established by the family of JoanneD’Amato and they were present at the dinnerthat evening.

A wonderful evening was had by all; peopleenjoyed themselves right up until the veryend.The excitement of reconnecting withold friends and acquaintances, and even justthe air of camaraderie among the nursingalumni made the event a true success.

CSI Nursing Reunion

A HugeSuccess

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21

SPORTShighlights

23

The spring sports lineup at the College closedwith a bang, as a pair of CSI squads scoredCUNYAC Championships and a host of

athletes were honored as all-stars in theirrespective sports.

CSI’s first spring sport to wrap-up was Men’sTennis,and the Dolphins netters turned in oneof their most impressive seasons in recentmemory. Under third-year head coach PaulRicciardi ‘04, the Dolphins finished 11-6 andran through a 7-1 CUNYAC record. The seasonwas a marked improvement from last year’s4-10 season,one that saw the Dolphins slip inas the conference No.7 seed in the PostseasonChampionshipTournament.

The year 2009 was kind to the Dolphins,especially onApril 25,when the team notcheda 5-4 win over Hunter College, breaking afirst-place tie,and giving CSI their first CUNYACRegular Season Championship since 1999.The win gave the Dolphins the No.1 seedingheading into the conference playoffs, andCSI scored a 5-0 win overYork College beforefalling to defending champion Baruch College5-3 two days later. Still, the Dolphins laid thegroundwork for what would be a continuedrun toward a postseason title.

The individual accolades also mounted upfor the Dolphins. No.1 Singles ace KonstantinTrofimovich capped a perfect 11-0 singlescampaign by winning CUNYAC Player of theYear honors, and was later named CSI’s MaleAthlete of theYear. Robert Hargraves’s 8-3season earned him first-team all-star kudos,while teammates JoeTaranto (11-5, FourthSingles) and Georgio Dano (9-3, Fifth Singles)

were named to the CUNYAC second-teamall-stars.

Over on the baseball diamond, the Dolphinswere coming off their fifth CUNYACChampionship in 2008 and were looking fora repeat performance in 2009. Unfortunately,the Dolphins fell on the CUNYACChampionshipTournament’s final day, a 6-2defeat at the hands of Mitchell College. Still,the team has a lot to be thankful for after a19-20 campaign.

For one, the Dolphins are a team comprisedpredominantly of young,budding talent. Thisyear’s installment featured just three graduatingseniors and a hefty 16 new faces, all of whomintend to make a bigger splash in 2010. TheDolphins were operating under new skipperMichael Mauro,who enjoyed a great rookieseason by earning CUNYAC Coach of theYearhonors. Mauro took over for Bill Cali,whoclosed a 14-year coaching stint with theDolphins in 2008. As part of a rousingseason from start to finish,Cali was honoredduring midseason with the retirement of hisNo. 6 jersey.

Joining Mauro for yearly honors was froshHenry Roman,whose .393 average and greatglove in the field earned him CUNYAC Rookieof theYear honors. Joining him as all-starswere seniors Michael Madalone and Jon Reyes,juniorsThomas DeWaters andTom DiPietro,sophomores Pat Gale and James Mardikos,and freshman Steve Hession.

Finalizing the spring season was CSI’s women’ssoftball team, and the ladies on the diamond

did not disappoint. After falling just short ofa conference title in 2008, the Dolphins tookthe CUNYAC Postseason Championship backhome to Staten Island for the fourth time inthe last six years,defeating Hunter College onthe final day,4-2, to clinch the championship.

Under head coach Dr.Stella Porto,the Dolphinsenjoyed their fifth straight 20-win season,going 23-14 overall and becoming one ofonly 64 schools nationally to make it to the29thAnnual NCAA Postseason SoftballChampionships. Unfortunately,CSI fell in itsonly two games in the tourney, but did senda message, taking a 0-0 tie into the sixthinning against National Champion MessiahCollege before falling just short in the end.

A total of seven players were honored withpostseason awards. The most notable wasfreshman standout Katie Flynn. The power-hitting infielder batted .350 with five home runsand 33 RBIs and was named CUNYAC Rookieof theYear. Joining her as all-stars were juniorJennifer Volpe; sophomores Raechel Strobel,JoannaTepedino,and Michelle Ferraioulo; andfreshman Danielle Ponsiglione. Lone seniorNicole Estrada also took all-star honors, andher exploits on both the diamond and thebasketball court this winter earned her CSIFemale Athlete of theYear honors at theconclusion of the academic year.

One thing that all three spring squads shareis a vision for the future. Even after bankinga pair of championships, 20 postseason all-stars, and a yearly citing by the CUNYAthleticConference, all three squads stand poised todo more damage in 2010.

DOLPHINS SOAR through Spring Season

22

In light of the tough economictimes that manyAmericansface today, the CSI Alumni

Association hosted an evening forits members and friends to offerthem some help in the jobmarket.The event’s host,nationally recognizedmotivational speaker Eric Barron,shared his techniques and tipsfor interviewing and marketingoneself in today’s job climate.

Barron offered advice to theattendees so that they couldbetter define who they are andhow to brand themselves,whileemphasizing the importance of

networking and using the Internetto help in the job search.

The interactive event energizedthe audience. Irene Liang felt“grateful” for this presentationand she learned new techniquesfor job searching. Sabeen Khanthought Eric Barron was“excellent”and was happy that she attended.

After Barron’s presentation, PhilJonas, the Alumni Career Coach,was introduced.Mr. Jonas,wasavailable last semester to helpalumni with employment andcareer concerns.

Alumni Association HostsALUMNI STIMULUS PACKAGE Alumni Association Hosts

MOHEGAN SUN TRIP

l a r g e@alumni

newLog on to ouralumnionlinecommunity

www.csialumniatlarge.org

Get connected toclassmates and friends,whether you graduatedfrom Richmond College,SICC, or CSI.

You’re a click away from:News and events

Class notes

Message boards and photo albums

Networking and member benefits

Meetthenew kidson theblock!

Mohegan Sun was the setting for a recent excursion by the CSIAlumni Association.Over 50 alumni and friends met on campusand relaxed during the trip to the casino. Participants weretreated to a day of shopping and fun, and one lucky alumna hitthe jackpot.

FEATUREDalumni

SPORTShighlights

SPORTShighlights

2524

Dreams came true, records were broken,andnew goals were set as three of the Collegeof Staten Island’s finest male swimmers

participated in the 2009 NCAA Division IIISwimming and Diving Championship at theUniversity of MinnesotaAquatic Center inMinneapolis,MN in mid-March.Pavel Buyanovtook his third national championship aftermaking history last year with the first-evernational championship win for the Collegeof Staten Island since it became a four-yearDivision III institution in 1976.Buyanov wasjoined by Nikolay Shevchenko,who alsoparticipated last year, and by freshmanVladRomanov.

The three Russian-born swimmers all haveinspirational stories.Buyanov came to the U.S.for new chances and new opportunities.Shevchenko made the decision to leaveRussia to get an education and fulfill his dreamsof swimming in the U.S.when he was 19years old.Romanov left behind his familyand friends at the age of 16 for the dream ofswimming in this country.

In a preliminary race that had just a four-second difference from top to bottom time,defending champion Buyanov came up ontop for the 100-meter breaststroke. In themedal round,Buyanov touched the wall witha time of 54.27, taking his third gold medal

and breaking his own NCAA record from lastyear. The following day,he placed third in the200-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:59.99.

Shevchenko participated in the 2008Nationals along with Buyanov.On the firstday of competition this year, Shevchenkoplaced fourth in the 200-meter individualmedley with a time of 1:50.38, breaking hisown school record.The following day hefinished the 100-meter butterfly in 49.34,placing him in tenth place. Following that,he finished in fourth place in the 200-meterbutterfly event with a time of 1:48.42.

Excited with his first experience in the NCAAs,Romanov performed in his signaturebackstroke events.He finished 18th in thepreliminary round of the100-meterbreaststroke and, although he didn’t qualifyfor the final round because they only takethe top 16,he finished third among the 38freshmen with whom he competed.Makingit to the final round of the 200-meter backstroke,Romanov finished in 14th place with a timeof 1:51.32.

Totaling up the weekend effort,CSI earnedone national championship,a third-place finish,and two fourth-place finishes in a total ofeight events. As a team,among the 52 collegesrepresented at the nationals,CSI placed 14thoverall with 92 team points. Kenyon Collegetook the championship with 602 points.

CSI SWIMMERS Do It Again at Nationals

The College of Staten Islandhonored a host of its student-athletes, coaches, and

distinguished staff memberswith its annual Athletics AwardsBanquet held at the Sports andRecreation Center on May 22.Atotal of over 70 award winnerswere highlighted as part of thegala, among them members ofCSI's 13 intercollegiate sportsteams in 2008-2009.

After greetings from InterimAthletic Director David Pizzuto,InterimVice President for StudentAffairs Michael Daniels, and CSIPresident Dr.Tomás D.Morales,awards were given for each sportin chronological order beginningwith teams last fall, and endingwith women's softball,whichfinalized its season by celebratinga CUNYAC championship.

Major awards were thenpresented to Female Athlete oftheYear Nicole Estrada, a senioron both the women's basketballand softball teams. Estrada was aCUNYAC all-star every season inboth sports during her career atCSI. She scored a game-high 25points against Lehman College,helping the team to clinch its

first-ever ECAC Championship,and she was named MostValuablePlayer in the CUNYAC SoftballTournament,helping CSI to clinchits fourth conference title in sixyears.Men's tennis ace KonstantinTrofimovich was named MaleAthlete of theYear.Trofimovichfinished an impeccable juniorcampaign by posting an 11-0singles record,never relinquishinga set along the way,helping CSIto nail down its first CUNYACRegular Season Championshipsince 1999.

CSI Scholar-Athlete of theYearhonors were given to soccer starand senior Fiosa Begai.A CUNYACsoccer champion in every yearthat she played,Begai sported a3.85 GPA,majoring in HistoryandAdolescent Education.Thesenior is CSI's all-time career leaderin goals scored, assists, and shotstaken. She was ranked 19thnationally in scoring in 2007, andwas named a CUNYAC/Hospitalfor Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month in 2008.

Tina Bellocchio, a senior on boththe women's soccer andbasketball teams,was awardedthe Fourth Annual Bill Cali/John

Scrivani SportsmanshipAward,named after CSI's baseballskippers who earned similarhonors from the Staten IslandAdvance in 2005.

Throughout the course of theevening, other notable awardswere handed out.DistinguishedService to Athletics awards weregiven to Jason Fein,former DirectorofAthletics at the College;ErikaHellstrom,principal fundraisingcoordinator for athletics throughthe CSI Foundation;and MarianneMcLaughlin of the CSIAssociationfor her tireless dedication toworking with the athleticsadministration on budgetconcerns.Klepp Flooring's JohnMcCrudden was also honoredfor his assistance in CSI'spurchase and installation of itscurrent temporary gym floor.

Apart from the actual ceremony,members of the CSI Student-Athlete Advisory Committeepresented their inaugural SAACInspirationAward, given thisyear to InterimVice PresidentMichael Daniels.

In sum, the rousing event was agreat success, according toPizzuto,who assumed director

duties in late August 2008.

“The athletics year went by withsuch a blur, but we have a lot tobe proud of," he said. "Tonight isa night we get to take in all ofthose accomplishments and givethem their proper due.This isthe highlight to our athleticsyear, and to see it so wellattended by students, coaches,and the esteemed staff andadministration is terrific."

The CSI academic year came to aclose with Commencement onThursday,May 28.At the HonorsConvocation,which took placeonTuesday,May 26, graduatingseniors Nick Levintov (Men’sSwimming) and Begai werenamed Male and Female Athletesof theYear, respectively.

CSI HONORS STUDENT-ATHLETES with Annual Gala

The College of Staten Island men’s baseball team was on the downside of a 7-6 decision at the hands of Monroe Community College forthe SixthAnnual Grace Hillery Breast Cancer Awareness Night onMay 6, but the real winner was the money raised in the name Mrs.Grace Hillery for the Staten Island Breast Cancer Research Initiative,which totaled at more than $5,400, the highest ever in the event’ssix-year history.What made the event even more remarkable was thatthe game was halted after only seven innings with rain spoiling thefinal two innings.

Originating in 2004, the special evening serves to honor the memoryof Grace Hillery,mother to former CSI student-athlete and baseballstar Anthony Hillery,who passed away from the illness prior to the2004 baseball season. Hillery went on to play for the Dolphinsthrough the 2005 campaign and has since graduated CSI with adegree in History and Education. He is currently a teacher andbaseball coach at New Dorp High School.

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27

Members of the CSI Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) had the chance to meet seasoned business professionals at the CSI Foundation’s MentoringBreakfast lastApril at the Hilton Garden Inn.CSI President Dr. Tomás Morales,College officials,and members of the Foundation Board were on hand forthe event,which gave each ELP student a chance to pair up with a Foundation Board business leader whose career was the same or similar to theirmajor. The business professionals then shared their vast business knowledge and experience with the students.

FUTURE CSI LEADERS Have Breakfast with the CSI Foundation Board

CSI Foundation ANNUAL GOLF OUTING

The CSI Foundation held itsAnnual Golf Outing lastApril in which 100 golfers enjoyed a beautiful day on the links.The real winners were CSIstudents,as the proceeds benefited CSI scholarships and athletics.

Sixth Annual Grace Hillery BREAST CANCER AWARENESS NIGHT

In September of 2008, 14-yearhead baseball coach Bill Caliannounced his retirement. As

the College of Staten Island’s mostbeloved and winningest coach,the staff, team, and coachesdecided to do something big inhis honor.OnApril 19, in a pre-game ceremony,Cali wassurrounded by his family, hisformer players, the CSI AthleticsProgram, and Baseball Program,along with CSI President Dr.Tomás Morales. Everyone helpedCali to unveil his retired jerseyand a baseball-shaped sign withhis name and number that wasto be displayed on the centerfieldwall of the CSI Baseball Complex.The number 6 worn by Cali over

the past 14 years will never beassigned to anyone else on theCSI baseball team.

The longest-tenured coach inCSI baseball history,Cali's list ofaccomplishments gathered witheach passing year.His teams tallied20+ wins eight times, playing inthe CUNYAC championshipgame in 13 out of his 14 coachingyears.CSI teams played in fiveECAC tournaments during histenure and the 2001 championshipteam was the last to win an ECACtitle at the College. In a fitting end,CSI rallied in a pair of thrillingone-run victories to win anotherCUNY title in 2008,wrestling thechampionship away from

defending champs John Jay College.

Like he had promised afterannouncing his retirement,Caliattended just about every gameduring the 2009 season to cheeron his Dolphins. "I must thank

the College for giving me theopportunity to work at one ofmy passions for the last 14years," said the humbled Cali atthe event.

CSI SALUTES BILL CALIwith Number Retirement

College of Staten IslandPresident Dr.Tomás Moraleshas announced the

appointment of Barbara R. Eshooas the newVice President forInstitutionalAdvancement andExternal Affairs at the College ofStaten Island, effective June 15,2009, following a nationwidesearch and extensive campusparticipation.

Ms. Eshoo is a strategicadvancement professional withbroad experience in all aspectsof development. She is also anexperienced manager and leaderwhose recent positions includeSenior Vice President forAssociationAdvancement,YMCAof Metropolitan Hartford, Inc;Vice President for Institutional

Advancement and ExecutiveLiaison to the ECSU Foundation,Eastern Connecticut StateUniversity;Chief DevelopmentOfficer,DanielWebster College;and Chief Public Relations Officer,The Currier Museum of Art.

Ms. Eshoo received a Bachelor ofArts degree in Psychology and aBachelor ofArts degree inTheaterfrom New England College. Sheparticipated in training programsthrough the National Society ofFundraising Executives and is anactive member of variousprofessional associations includingtheAssociation of Fund RaisingProfessionals (now, theAmericanAssociation of FundraisingProfessionals), and theAmericanCouncil on Education,Office ofWomen where she representedConnecticut.

“I commend the outstanding workof the search committee chairedbyVice President Milton Santiago,”Dr.Morales said.“The Committee’sdiligence and insight producedan impressive pool of applicants,and its hard work assured asuccessful outcome of thisimportant search.I especially wantto thank the College communityfor its participation andfeedback; for giving its valuabletime in support of the search forthis important position.”

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• NEW! Alumni Online Communitywww.csialumniatlarge.orgCreate your profile, post on the message board, submit a class

note, register for events, and learn what’s new with fellow alumni

and your alma mater! For first-time log-on information, contact the

Alumni Relations Office at 718.982.2290 or

alumni@mail.csi.cuny.edu.

• Educational, cultural, social, and athletic programs andevents throughout the year.

• Home base for alumni connections Connect with

professional associates, faculty, classmates, and friends.

• Library privileges Present your CSIAA permanent alumni photo

ID membership card at the College Library for access and

borrowing privileges.

• Visitor pass for parking Present your CSIAA permanent

alumni photo ID to the security guard at the entrance for your

pass.

• Career Center Continued service and access for alumni

presenting permanent CSIAA photo ID.Résumés, career

counseling, interview skills, and job databank.Call 718.982.2300.

• 25% tuition discount for courses offered by the Officeof Continuing Education and Professional DevelopmentFor course information and to register, call 718.982.2182.

• CSI Sports and Recreation Center alumni discountmembership Present your permanent alumni photo ID for

discount. For more information, contact the membership desk,

718.982.3161.

• CSI Center for the Arts ticket discountReceive a $2 alumni discount for CFA performances (limit two per

ID per performance). For information about upcoming shows,

contact the box office at 718.982.ARTS/2787.

• Barnes & Noble CSI College Bookstore 10% alumnidiscount Present permanent alumni photo ID for applicable

items (excludes textbooks).

• Bank of America MasterCard/VisaCall 800.847.7378 and indicate that you are an alumnus/alumna of

the College of Staten Island for applicable credit card offer.

Telephone Priority Code: FABHR4

• Auto and homeowner insurance program through Liberty

Mutual Savings Plus/American InsuranceAdministrators.Call

800.524.9400, follow the prompts, and indicate that you are an

alumnus/alumna of the College of Staten Island.

• Group Term Life Insurance and Health Insurance through

NEATrust/American InsuranceAdministrators.Call 800.922.1245

and indicate that you are an alumnus/alumna of the College of

Staten Island. For a complete listing of programs and availability in

your state, visit www.alumniinsuranceprogram.com/csi.Note: Short-term health insurance coverage is not available for residents of NY,NJ,MA,

andVT.Major medical insurance is not available in NY,NJ,RI,WA, andAZ.

CSI Alumni Association MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Each year,CSI conducts aphonathon, in both fall and spring,on behalf of our Annual Fund, toraise much-needed dollars to assistour students with scholarshipsand research stipends, and to

support new Library acquisitionsand much more.

Last spring eight student and staffcallers took to the phones,underthe enthusiastic supervision ofDebra Santulli-Barone ’07,who isan experienced caller of previousphonathons.Santulli-Barone knowsfirst-hand how important raisingAnnual Fund dollars is for ourstudents.“As a scholarship recipient[during her undergraduate days],I am grateful for the generosityof our alumni. If it wasn’t fortheir pledges,my fellow studentsand I would find it hard tocontinue our education…myenjoyment comes from training

new callers,watching their delightwhen they obtain a donation,and by being part of making CSIa success.”

The phonathon effort spannednine nights duringApril and May,raising close to $12,000. Whilemany alumni give each year whenthey are called, it is always a bonuswhen first-time alumni donorspledge to help.This spring 86new donors joined our ranks inmaking a difference for ourstudents.What impressed ourstudent and staff callers most wasthat even new alumni, some juststarting in careers, gave what theycould.Our student and staff

callers especially enjoy contactinga wide spectrum of our alumni—getting to know what’s newwith them,while letting themknow what’s new on campus.

Pledges made to the CSI AnnualFund contribute so much andwe thank our alumni for thelegacy they give to a newgeneration of students.

It’s never too late to make adonation. For more informationabout how to donate to theAnnual Fund to benefit ourstudents, please contact theOffice of InstitutionalAdvancement at 718.982.2365.

NEW VICE PRESIDENTfor Institutional Advancementand External Affairs

After its successful inaugural year, the CSI Foundation will holdits SecondAnnual Fall Festival on the Great Lawn of the Collegeof Staten Island. The event,which will be held on Saturday,October 3 from 11:00am to 4:00pm,will feature a wideassortment of vendors, live entertainment, and raffles,with theproceeds benefiting the Staten Island Breast Cancer Initiative.It will be a great way for the community to get together, havefun, and support an important cause.

For more information, call the CSI Office of InstitutionalAdvancement at 718.982.2365.

SECOND ANNUAL FALLFESTIVAL Promises a Day ofFamily-Friendly Fun

Alumni Answer the Call for SPRING 2009 PHONATHON

CSI NATIONAL ALUMNI MAP

LEGEND

Home Addresses

State BoundariesHawaii

Alaska

Map by Nora Santiagowith Richard FlanaganCollege of Staten IslandDecember 23, 2008

Professor Gordon DiPaolo

Thank you Professor Gordon DiPaolo and Lorraine DiPaolo for making Commencement a realityfor many of our students. Look for an article on the DiPaolo’s good works in the next issue.

CONGRATULATIONSCLASSOF 2009!