a monthly publication for students, faculty, staff and friends April 17, 2013

BINNEKILLVol. XXX No. 4

Pick Up Credits During The Summer

Need to earn some more credits? Want to get a jump start on fall? Register for Summer 2013:http://www.sunysccc.edu/register.htm

Important CommencementremindersGrads, remember:•Pick up your capand gown,Commencementannouncements andtickets betweenTuesday, April 23 andWednesday, May 22 inthe College Store. Alongwith your cap and gown, you will receive fourCommencement announcements and four tickets.Additional tickets will be available on Monday, May 6,in the College Store(first-come, first-served).

•Considerattending aCommencementInformationalSession on thefollowing dates in the Activity Forum,Elston Hall:

Monday, May 6, through Friday, May 10, 10 - 11 a.m.Monday, May 13, through Friday, May 17, 2 - 3 p.m.

Name cards will be distributed at these sessions.

•Commencement will be held on Thursday,May 23, at 4 p.m. at Proctors Bring with you the

following items: your cap, hood, gown and name card.

Graduates should arrive at 3 p.m. and will line upoutside of the back entrance to Proctors (the entranceclosest to the Parking Garage, NOT the State Streetentrance). Guests should go directly to the theater to beseated.

Visit the Commencement page:

http://www.sunysccc.edu/student/commencement.html.

(Images above are from Commencement 2012. Yes, that’s

a giant chicken wing on his mortarboard.)

Fire prevention class “inspects”ProctorsPaul Negus knows that there some aspects of fire prevention that youjust can’t learn in a textbook.

“It’s easier to learn through hands-on experience,” the Fire ProtectionTechnology major said, as he followed James Petersen, TechnicalDirector for Proctors, down a narrow hallway.

As he reached the end of the hallway a small door opened to the catwalkabove the stage as Petersen showed safety equipment to Paul and otherstudents in Pete Lattanzio’s Fire Prevention class.

Proctors was the second site the class has toured, conducting a mock fireinspection to give students a sense of all the key areas that are checkedduring a thorough inspection, including exits, sprinklers, fire alarms andheating/electrical systems. They already examined Center City earlierthis semester.

Pete, an adjunct in the Division of Business, Criminal Justice and Law,said that time in the field is essential to learning the essentials of fireprevention. “When we can get them out of the classroom to show themwhat they’ll actually be doing, that’s much more meaningful,” he said.

Alyssa Bielawa, a Fire Protection Technology major who wants to be acareer firefighter in the future, said that familiarity with a building’sinfrastructure is valuable. “Inspections are important because if you everhave to actually come into the building, you already know whereeverything is, including the sprinkler system.”

Pete Lattanzio, a retired Chief for the Department of Fire Prevention andInvestigation for the town of Colonie, shows students a fire valvebackstage at Proctors this week. Left to right are: Eric Wells, Paul Negusand Alyssa Bielawa, all Fire Protection Technology majors.

2 BINNEKILL, April 17, 2013

Developmental Studies faculty to retireAs this dynamic and classy duo both retire this summer, the Binnekill thought it only appropriate that their stories run at the sametime on the same page.

Whether she was doing theCharleston with her students whileshe was a high school social studiesteacher in the 1980s, or swallowingher fears enough to handle aslithering snake as a MuseumEducator at the SchenectadyMuseum (now miSci) in 1998, origniting a love for reading in herstudents by bringing local author andAssociated Press reporter Michael

Virtanen to speak to them as they read his book Within AForest Dark this semester, one thing has remained constantthroughout Pam Walsh’s 35 years of teaching. She has sharedher enthusiasm for reading, writing and history with herstudents and has “always been a person who wanted to create,do and write.”

In August, Pam will retire from teaching as an AssociateProfessor in the Division of Liberal Arts, taking with herdecades of adventures with her students.

Pam has spent 14 years teaching all of the reading, writingand study skills developmental studies courses at SCCC. Eachyear she uses a different theme in her teaching and thissemester it was food and hunger in America. She showed thedocumentary film A Place At The Table in her classes andasked her students to examine the issue of hunger in theirwriting. Last semester during election season, her students didsomething many had never done before – they wrote letters tolocal and national legislators. “They each took on an issuewhether it was HeadStart or another program and advocatedfor that to an elected official,” Pam explained. “That’s servicelearning.” Her students also had to share their writing withfive people in their lives and summarize their responses.

Much of her time inside the classroom is devoted to positivepsychology, particularly demonstrating the advantages of a“growth mindset” where an individual believes that he or shecan continually improve through practice and education. “I tellthem that they alone are in charge of their education,” Pamsaid. “You need to accept the challenges and do a little bettereach day.”

Over the years, Pam has seen the essence of developmentaleducation change at the state and national level and has helpedto lead the efforts to retool SCCC’s developmental courses asa result. She has been an active member of the New YorkCollege Learning Skills Association and National Associationfor Developmental Education, among others.

As Pam moves on from SCCC, she plans to focus her effortson a new demographic. She will be working with the elderly,as an advocate and companion. She will carry with her fondmemories of the College. “I have really enjoyed my timehere,” she said. “I’ve been an SCCC proponent every step ofthe way and am very proud to have been a faculty member atthis outstanding community college.”

Respect is first and foremost when itcomes to Cindy Taber’s teaching style.“I have great respect for every one ofmy students and the struggles that theyhave,” she explained during a recentinterview. As a result, Cindy, aProfessor in the Division of LiberalArts, has earned great respect from herstudents, as well as her colleagues. Sheis known on campus as not only adedicated faculty member inside the

classroom and a constant source of encouragement for herstudents; she is also known as a leader among her peers.

In August, Cindy will retire after 27 years teaching develop-mental studies courses at the College. When speaking withCindy, you quickly realize that she has not only felt rewarded byteaching her students the fundamentals of reading and writing;she has also viewed it as a privilege to get to know her studentson a deeper level. “My students have such interesting lives andgreat senses of humor,” she said. “They have often had verychallenging life experiences that have given them insights onlife and they really bring a lot to the academic arena. It makestheir writing interesting also.”

And nothing compares to the “aha” moments that her studentsexperience. “I love seeing that spark when a student catches onand starts to feel good about himself or herself,” she said.“There’s nothing more fun than seeing a student capture either alove of reading or express a new confidence in his or herabilities. That’s where I get my energy – from seeing studentsreally blossom.”

Although there are far too many meaningful student stories forher to recall, Cindy remembers the woman in her class who washomeless when she first started taking Reading I. She was alsotrying to get custody of her children at the same time she wasattending SCCC full time. This student got the boost she neededfrom Cindy’s class and went on to graduate from law school. “It was wonderful to see her become who she has become,”Cindy shared.

Throughout her teaching career, Cindy has advocated for theadvancement of developmental education. She is a member ofthe New York College Learning Skills Association and NationalCouncil of Teachers of English. She has given her voice tomaking sure that there are standards across the state fordevelopmental educators. Cindy has also served as a leader atSCCC, having fulfilled every office of the Faculty (now theAcademic Senate): Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. She waspresented with the SCCC Foundation Award for Excellence inTeaching in 2005 and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award forExcellence in Teaching in 2006.

As for retirement, Cindy plans to spend time with her threegrandchildren, travel, read for pleasure, take yoga and get backinto running. She also intends to remain involved with theCollege and support the Foundation. Meals in the Casola DiningRoom and musical performances are also on the agenda. “I’mgoing to enjoy lunch in the Casola Dining Room,” she said,adding “and all of those things that I can’t fit in between classesand that are fun that I’m always trying to fit in while teaching.”

3BINNEKILL, April 17, 2013

Student Trustee Cornerby Thomas D. Bambury, Student Trustee

Spring has sprung, or at leastthat is what the calendar istelling us. I am hoping yourwinter blues are melting awayand you are finding yourself ona positive path towards finishingoff the semester on a verypositive note. I truly cannot

believe that we are already in the month of April. Iwanted to take the time to congratulate SGA PresidentJohn Donahue, Rebekah Kimble, and Kenette Websteron being the recipients of this year’s SUNY Chancellor’sAwards for Student Excellence. When you see any ofthese fabulous classmates of yours, be sure to congratu-late them. It truly is an amazing honor, and so thrillingfor our school that four students were chosen.

I wanted to remind you that the summer and fall classrosters are now available for you to sign up for classes.Be sure to see your Advisor, discuss your upcoming timeat SCCC, and get your PIN number from them so youcan sign up for classes.

I also wanted to encourage you to head on out to theballpark and root on your SCCC Royals as they playtheir season’s home games at Central Park inSchenectady. Like all of our athletic teams here, themen’s baseball team is sure to make us all proud. Andfor those of you graduating in May, the Student AffairsDivision always has its doors open for any last minutehelp you may need as you finish your time at SCCC.

Finally, I wish to take the time to thank all of the activemembers of your Student Government Association for allof your outstanding efforts since the fall semester. If youare interested in running for our Senate for the 2013-2014 year, please head to Student Affairs (Elston 222), pick up your application, and get involved.To me, there is nothing more satisfying than representingthe voice of the students. Peace.

Student chosen as VanguardAward winnerParalegal major David Lodge recently got some good news: he has beenselected as a 2013 New York State Vanguard Student Award Winner. Hewas one of only five winners, chosen from among 65 nominees studyingnon-traditional careers at institutions across the state.

The Vanguard Awards are presented annually to outstanding studentsenrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that are nottraditional to their gender. As a recipient, David will receive a $100scholarship and a certificate of recognition. Also, a video featuring aninterview and ‘day in the life’ footage of him will be produced toencourage more students to pursue non-traditional education and careeroptions. (Visit http://www.vanguard.thenetproject.org to watch the video.)

David was nominated for the award by Professor Sheila Foglietta of theDivision of Business, Criminal Justice and Law. As part of the selectionprocess, David and the other nominees wrote an essay about their chosenfield. According to a press release, it was David’s essay that impressedthe awards committee, the release stating, “While deciding the winnerswas a very difficult process, five essays stood out for their wisdom,maturity and insight.”

Currently employed as a Legal Assistant with New York state, Davidintends to graduate with his Paralegal degree to “better myself andeducate myself in other aspects of the paralegal field.” He is a memberof Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and has been named to the President’s List.

The Vanguard Student Recognition Award is coordinated by the NewYork State Non-traditional Education and Training (NET) Project, Centerfor Women in Government and Civil Society, Rockefeller College ofPublic Affairs and Policy, University at Albany and the New York StateEducation Department.

David Lodge, aParalegal major,looks through lawbooks in theBegley Libraryrecently. He wasselected as aVanguard Awardwinner, chosenfrom amongstudents at collegesthroughout thestate.

The Week of theYoung Child Kevon Sheldon, age 2 1/2 proudly carries aYWCA Children’sCenter sign while he andhis friends, includingJoaquin Barrett, from thecenter at SCCC marchfrom the GatewayBuilding to WashingtonAvenue. This is TheWeek of the YoungChild. During this week,students are collectingbooks from Pre-K to firstgrade reading levels forthe Howe EarlyChildhood Center.Donations can be made in Elston Hall,Room 202.

Faculty, Staff NewsThis month, Lenore Horowitz, Professor in the Division of Math,Science, Technology and Health, successfully defended her dissertationon “Exploring the Impact of Program Structure on Student and FacultyScholarly Communities in Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Programs.” She plansto graduate in May from the University at Albany with a Doctor ofPhilosophy in Information Science.

“I would like to personally thank the Board of Trustees for granting me asabbatical to work exclusively on my dissertation research,” Lenore said.“Additionally, I would like to thank Academic Affairs administration insupporting my academic endeavors over the last several years byaccommodating an ambitious, and often times conflicting schedule whileI completed classwork and research at the University at Albany.”

4 BINNEKILL, April 17, 2013

Thursday, April 18, 2013Men’s baseball vs. HVCC, 2 p.m., away

Saturday, April 20, 2013Women’s crew vs. RIT, 10 a.m., away

Men’s baseball vs. MVCC, 1 p.m., away

Sunday, April 21, 2013Women’s crew vs. St. Lawrence, 9 a.m., home,watch the action on the river in the Stockade)

Men’s baseball vs. MVCC, 1 p.m., home

Tuesday, April 23, 2013Men’s baseball vs. Herkimer CC, 2 p.m., home

Thursday, April 25, 2013Men’s baseball vs. Herkimer CC, 2 p.m., away

Saturday, April 27, 2013Women’s crew vs. Hofstra/C.W. Post, 9 a.m., away

Men’s baseball vs. Jefferson CC, 1 p.m., away

Sunday, April 28, 2013Men’s baseball vs. Jefferson CC, 1 p.m., home

Tuesday, April 30, 2013Men’s baseball vs. Clinton CC, 2 p.m., home

Let’s go Royals

Other upcoming performancesMusic Student ShowcaseSunday, April 28, 2013, 2 p.m., McChesney Room, SchenectadyCounty Public Library, featuring the Vocal Chamber Ensemble,Jazz Combo, Saxophone Quartet and Guitar Ensemble. Free.

Guitar Ensemble ConcertMonday, April 29, 2013, 7:30 p.m., Lally Mohawk Room. Free.

Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Jazz ComboWednesday, May 1, 2013, 7:30 p.m., Taylor Auditorium. Free.

Chorus and Vocal Chamber EnsembleMonday, May 6, 2013, 7:30 p.m., Taylor Auditorium. Free.

Chamber Winds EnsembleTuesday, May 7, 2013, 7:30 p.m., Taylor Auditorium. Free

Wind EnsembleFriday, May 10, 2013, 7:30 p.m., Taylor Auditorium. Free.

Meet author Michael Virtanen as he signs copies of hislatest book The River’s Tale outside the College Store.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Michael Virtanen’s first novel, Within A Forest Dark, won theAdirondack Center for Writing’s Award for Best Fiction of 2007. TheRiver’s Tale is a prequel to that work. Michael is a veteran journalistwhose articles on the Adirondacks and other topics have appeared innewspapers across the country. He is a reporter for the AssociatedPress.

His visit to SCCC is organized by Associate Professor Pam Walsh ofthe Division of Liberal Arts. She has been teaching Michael’s booksin her reading and writing classes since 2009.

Alumni Wind Ensemble Concert SCCC alumni Michele Von Haugg (clarinet) and Keith Pray(saxophone) (pictured below) return to campus for a specialconcert on Tuesday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m., in the TaylorAuditorium.

They will be joined by alumni Bob Halek (drums), KevinGrudecki (guitar), and Lou Smaldone (bass). The performance,directed by Professor Brett Wery, is free.

This fall, there will be two new concentrations as part of the Liberal Arts:Humanities and Social Sciences A.A. degree. Students can now register for Dramaand Honors Concentrations.

The Drama Concentration will offer real-world performance opportunities for students as well as seamless transfer options into four-year theater programs.

With the new concentration, students can: take a core of six drama-related courses,which include the study of traditional literature, theater, acting and performance;participate in a required internship to connect them to local real-world theaterexperiences; take two electives to study supporting areas; and complete 10 SUNYGeneral Education courses, thus making it very transfer friendly.

The Honors Concentration features a “cornerstone to capstone” curriculum. Thecornerstone course, which includes a service-learning component, will help studentsdevelop their academic writing skills. Students will also begin to develop an e-portfolio, which will serve as a portable archive to exhibit their intellectual develop-

ment throughout their academic careers. Graduates with the concentration will be in an extremely strong position to transfer into thehighest quality four-year institutions to complete their undergraduate study.

As an extra incentive for students enrolling in the Honors program, the SCCC Foundation has pledged $68,000 to cover half of thetuition for the first group of 20 students in that discipline. Requirements for admission to the Honors program include a high schoolaverage of at least 90, a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher, and an interview with members of the HonorsCommittee. Students will be expected to maintain a 3.0 G.P.A to remain in the program and continue to earn the scholarships.

For more information on either of these new programs, please contact the Division of Liberal Arts at 518-381-1392.

5BINNEKILL, April 17, 2013

BINNEKILL Publication ScheduleSpring 2013

Deadline (9 a.m.) Publication DateMonday, April 29 Wednesday, May 8

Please e-mail submissions or story ideas tomeaneyhl@sunysccc.edu.

College welcomes staff member

College remembers studentThe College extends heartfeltsympathy to the family and friendsof Jessica McCormack, who passedaway on April 10, 2013, the victimof what police have ruled ahomicide. She was found inside herhome in Rotterdam, along with hermother Tammy McCormack, alsothe victim of a homicide.

Jessica was enrolled this semesteras a Human Services major. Shehad already graduated with honors from SCCC in May2011 with a degree in Teacher Education Transfer.According to her obituary, Jessica was working toward acareer in dental hygiene.

Dr. Martha Asselin, Vice President of Student Affairs,remembered Jessica this way, “Her life had a positiveimpact on many in our SCCC family. May we all pause amoment from our daily pressures to give thanks for thetime we shared with Jessica and for the vitality shebrought to our campus and to our greater community.”

Christine M. Pirri joined SCCC this week as theExecutive Director of Human Resources.

Christine’s experience in human resourcesadministration includes policy development,workforce planning and employment, humanresource development, compensation andbenefits, and business management andstrategy. Prior to SCCC, she worked as theHuman Resources Administrator for theResearch Foundation of SUNY, HumanResources Manager for the Healthcare

Association of New York State and as a Benefits Specialist forRensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

She holds a Master of Science in Management from RPI and a Bachelorof Science in Business Administration from the University of Albany.She also holds the distinction of certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Christine is a member of the Society forHuman Resource Management and the Capital Region HumanResources Association.

Cassandra Santana, a Music Certificate andLiberal Arts major, plans to apply for the newHonors Concentration which begins this fall. “I look forward to the challenge of the honorsclasses,” she said.

Two new academic concentrations in Liberal Arts Division

6

Campus Resources

Academic AdvisementElston 222/ext. 1277Monday 8:30 am-7 pmTuesday 8:30 am-4:30 pmWednesday 8:30 am-4:30 pmThursday 8:30 am-7 pmFriday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Academic Computing LabElston 529, 530/ext. 1213Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-10 pm Friday 8:30 am-4 pmSaturday 9 am-3:30 pm

Accounting/CIS Tutor LabElston 330/ext. 1041Monday - Thursday 9 am-2 pm

ADA Transition ServicesElston 222/ext. 1345Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

AdmissionsStockade 120/ext. 1166Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

AthleticsElston 222/ext. 1356Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Begley Library/ext. 1235Monday-Thursday 8 am – 9: pmFriday 8 am – 4:30 pmSaturday 11 am – 5 pm Closed Sundays

Business Office, StudentElston 219/ext. 1346, 1347Monday 8:30 am-6:45 pmTuesday 8:30 am-4:15 pmWednesday 8:30 am-4:15 pmThursday 8:30 am-6:45 pmFriday 8:30 am-4:15 pm

Career and EmploymentServicesElston 222/ext. 1365Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

The College StoreElston 109/ext. 1332Monday-Wednesday 8 am-6 pm Thursday 8 am-4 pmFriday 8 am-2 pmThe Commons Elston/ext. 1330Monday-Thursday 7:30 am-8 pmFriday 7:30 am-2 pm

Counseling (Career, Transfer and Personal)Elston 222/ext. 1365Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

College Central NetworkSCCC’s career management systemwww.sunysccc.edu/ces

Financial AidElston 221/ext. 1352Monday 8:30 am-7 pmTuesday 8:30 am-4:30 pmWednesday 8:30 am-4:30 pmThursday 8:30 am-7 pmFriday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Gateway MontessoriGateway 124/ext. 1455/1295Monday-Friday 9 am-11:30 am(Call for program information.)

Language LabElston 520/ext. 1373See lab for hours.

Learning CenterWriting LabElston 523/ext. 1246Monday-Thursday 8 am-7 pmFriday 8 am-4 pmSaturday 10 am-3 pm

Math Lab Elston 518/ext. 1435Monday-Thursday 8 am-7 pmFriday 8 am-4 pmSaturday 10 am-3 pm

Multicultural/EducationalOpportunity ProgramsElston 222/ext. 1279Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Registrar’s OfficeElston 212/215381-1348, 381-1349/ext. 1148Monday 8:30 am-7 pmTuesday 8:30 am-4:30 pmWednesday 8:30 am-4:30 pmThursday 8:30 am-7 pmFriday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Student Affairs, VicePresidentElston 222/ext. 1344Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Student GovernmentElston 220/ext. 1388By appointment or walk-in

Testing CenterElston 427/ext.1293TestingCenter@sunysccc.eduMonday-Thursday 8:30 am to 8 pmFriday 8:30 am-3 pmSaturday 10 am-2 pm

TRIO Student SupportServices Elston 328/ext. 1465Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Tutor ServicesElston 328-C/ext. 1461Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Veterans AffairsElston 223/ext. 1284Open daily. See office for hours.

Workforce DevelopmentStockade 120/ext. 1315Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm

YWCA Children’s CenterGateway Bldg./ext. 1375 or 1389Monday-Friday 7:30 am-5:30 pm(Evening hours available dependingon enrollment.)

BINNEKILL, April 17, 2013