CSIWomenMaking History

Donna GerstleDebra Evans-Greene

Jennifer Straniere

Magazine for Alumni and all friends of the College of Staten Island � SPRING 2010

Careers 2010Internships, Jobs,GraduateSchool Fair

April 15, 2010Sports and Recreation Center

Mohegan Sun Casino Trip

April 24, 2010

Grace Hillery BreastCancer Awareness Night

Baseball Game featuringAnthony Hillery, '07

April 27,20107:00pmCSI Baseball Fieldvs.Drew University

Alumni Board Reception forFaculty and Alumni whoare on the College Staff

April 28, 2010Park Café

College Golf Outing

April 30, 2010South Shore Country Club

Commencement

May 27, 2010

9:30am Alumni Reception10:00am Alumni Procession1:00pm Alumni, Faculty, and

Staff Luncheon

CSI Alumni AssociationAnnual Meeting

June 15, 2010

Annual CSI Alumni Night atRichmond County Ballpark

June 18, 2010Staten IslandYankees vs.Brooklyn Cyclones

Call theAlumni Relations Office formore information,718.982.2290.

www.csialumniatlarge.org

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Debra Evans-GreeneGiving historically underrepresentedstudents the chance to believe in themselves

Jennifer StraniereBringing the arts to life for the College andStaten Island communities

Donna GerstleConducting research toconquer cancer and improvethe environment

departments2 Letter from President

3 Around Campus

9 FeaturedAlumni

20 KeepingTabs

22 Sports Highlights

25 Foundation Notes

ON THE COVER:[L-R} Donna Gerstle, Debra Evans-Greene,and Jennifer Straniere strike a pose in theBuilding 1A Atrium.

Volume 2, Number 1Spring 2010

Tomás D.MoralesPresident

Barbara EshooVice President for Institutional Advancementand External Affairs

Janice AwerbuchDirector of Design Services

Ken BachInterim Director of Communications

Erika HellstromInterim Director of Development

Jennifer LynchAssociate Director of Alumni Relations

Terry MaresChief Editor andWriter

Anita MrozinskiArt Director

Ken BachKellie CarnevaleDonna GaramboneTerry MaresDavid PizzutoStaffWriters

Ken BachKellie Grace CarnevaleBill HigginsEdnita LorenzoPhotographers

CSI Alumni AssociationBoard of DirectorsExecutive Committee, 2008 - 2009

Vullnet Kolari, Esq. ’98President

Arthur Merola,DPM ’85First Vice President

Theresa Marro ’89SecondVice President

Linda Dianto ’74Treasurer

Phyllis Minacapilli ’91Assistant Treasurer

Roy Mackey ’03Recording Secretary

James Raggi ’70Corresponding Secretary

Created and produced by theOffice of Design Services.

Eye on CSI is a publication of the College of StatenIslandAlumni Association,provided to all alumni of theCollege of Staten Island and its predecessor institutions,Staten Island Community College and Richmond College.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or informationfor “KeepingTabs,”please contact the Office of AlumniRelations at 718.982.2290, alumni@mail.csi.cuny.edu, or2800Victory Boulevard, Building 1A,Room 111, StatenIsland,NY 10314.

www.csi.cuny.edu

CourtesyoftheStatenIslandAdvance

March 2010

Dear Friends,

One measure of the quality and success of an institution is the quality and success of the graduates itproduces. As you read through this issue of Eye on CSI you will come to know three alumna of CSI:three women whose fields of endeavor are very different but who have one thing in common—theyepitomize the best of the College of Staten Island.

We recognize the successful careers these women have forged and celebrate the contributions eachmake to CSI and the Staten Island community. Debra Evans-Greene’s passion for education drives herefforts to help historically underrepresented students to succeed in school and life;Donna Gerstledemonstrates her expertise and commitment to the Borough’s women through breast cancer research,and to the entire Staten Island community through her environmental work; Jennifer Straniere’s impact isthrough the arts, both in her performance-related work and through teaching. Each woman is touchingthe lives of so many and changing the world in the process; they are making history.

The College is proud of the achievements of Debra Evans-Greene,Donna Gerstle, and Jennifer Straniere,is happy to celebrate them duringWomen’s History Month, and looks to them as role models for futureCSI students. Congratulations to all!

Sincerely,

Tomás D. Morales, PhDPresident

from the PRESIDENT

C onvocation at the College of Staten Island has traditionally been atime to underscore this institution’s achievements over the pastyear,while looking to the further advancement that the future

will bring.The year 2009 was no different, but, as CSI President Dr.Tomás Morales noted last October to a near-capacity crowd in theCenter for theArtsWilliamsonTheatre, this Convocation was also acelebration, as the College recognized faculty and staff memberswho have reached milestones in their service to CSI.

Dr.Morales began his remarks by spotlighting the importance of thefaculty and staff.“It is you and your colleagues who have made thisConvocation possible, because it is you and your colleagues whohave compiled an extraordinary record of accomplishment.Thataccomplishment is taking CSI to new heights. I am immensely proudof what you have achieved and what it means to the thousands ofstudents who have entrusted their education to us.

“Thanks to you,”Dr.Morales continued,“CSI is not merely holding itsown during a difficult time in our national economy,we are settingrecords, turning heads, transforming lives.” In fact,CSI boasts an all-time high enrollment for 2009-2010, at both the undergraduate andgraduate levels,andworld-class academic programs that are constantlyexpanding.

CSI’s accomplishments, according to Dr.Morales, include alumniwho are not only moving on to some of “the finest medical schools,and law schools,graduate schools, and jobs,”but graduates [who] notonly comprise the heart and soul of education and health care onStaten Island, they are now making their mark and setting a standardacross the country and around the world.”

Dr.Morales also spotlighted the exceptional quality of CSI’s faculty,including the 43 new faculty members who just came on board thisfall, as well as recent administrative hires for Vice President for

Students Affairs,Vice President for Institutional Advancement,Dean ofHumanities and Social Sciences, Associate Provost for InstitutionalEffectiveness,Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, and Directorof Diversity and Compliance.

Throughout his speech, the President pointed to a number of otherextraodinary factors that have made CSI the college of choice for somany students, from its participation in the prestigious MacaulayHonors College andTheVerrazano School to its successful efforts toexpand scholarship availability to new inroads for student andfaculty exchanges that the College is making with top institutions ofhigher education around the world, to name only a few.

Now, as the College embarks on a new Strategic Plan to map itsfuture,Dr.Morales said that the process would operate under“a culture of inclusiveness and a culture of shared governance,”adding that “the key to our planning and our implementation hasbeen, is, and will continue to be, shared governance. The heart ofshared governance is openness and communication.Opennessensures that all that is done can be seen by all who care about thisinstitution.Communication ensures that all who care about thisinstitution can be heard.”

In concluding his comments,Dr.Morales stated,“In all aspects CSI isadvancing, not with small steps born of indecision and uncertainty,but with bold strides of confidence and confirmation that what weare doing,we are doing right.CSI truly is world class. And mostassuredly, it is right here.”

Following Dr.Morales’s speech,CSI Provost and Senior VicePresident for AcademicAffairs Dr.William Fritz recognized the vastcontributions of faculty and staff members who have reachedmilestone anniversaries of service by calling them to the stage toreceive gifts of appreciation.

DR. MORALES CELEBRATES CSI’s Achievements,Faculty, and Staff at Convocation

All stories in “Around Campus” previously appeared at www.csitoday.net, except where noted.

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TheAmericanAssociation of StateColleges and Universities (AASCU)has recently recommended CSIPresident Dr.Tomás D.Morales toanother three-year term on theirBoard of Directors,effective 2010.

Shirley Theimer,AASCU ExecutiveSecretary to the President,commented,“AASCU is pleased toannounce that PresidentTomásMorales,College of Staten Island,CUNY,was one of four directorselected by theAASCUmembershipon November 23, 2009, to athree-year term on theAASCUBoard of Directors. Election tothe Board of Directors is a highlyesteemed honor and responsibility,conferred by presidential peers.”

Theimer added that “Dr.Moraleshas previously served AASCU asa member of the Committee onInternational Education and theNew Presidents’AcademyAdvisory Committee.”

PRESIDENTMORALESRecommendedfor AnotherThree-Year Termat AASCU

The College of Staten Island hosted adelegation of Vietnamese universityadministrators and faculty last fall,whotraveled to NewYork to meet withCSI counterparts and work together tocreate new opportunities for studentsand faculty.The working meeting wasintended to further an initiative tostimulate student and faculty exchangeby collaborating on a dual degreeproject in the areas of computer scienceand computer engineering. The newpartnership,with the prestigious PostsandTelecommunications Institute ofTechnology (PTIT), has developedrapidly over the past half-year due tothe frequency of email communicationand working meetings, held on bothsides of the Pacific Ocean, via theVirtual Classroom and face-to-facesite visits.

Ms.DinhThiThu Phong,who headsthe PTIT International School,summed it up at the end of the day,“I believe that the collaborativeprograms between PTIT and CSI willachieve fruitful goals and generatetrue international understanding.”

Participants in the working meetingson the CSI campus concentrated onreviewing the policies and proceduresthat would facilitate exchange andensure that the curriculum was fully

integrated, that the objectives andexpectations were fully understood,and that plans were in place to movethe project to fruition. The firstVietnamese students participating inthis dual degree option will begintheir studies in this year and shouldarrive on the CSI campus in 2012.

The groundwork for this newcollaboration was laid in January2009 when CSI President Dr.TomásMorales and a delegation of CSIadministrators and faculty visited PTITfor an initial discussion. InAugust 2009Dr.Morales returned toVietnam tosign a Memorandum of Understandingfor the new program that laterreceived approval and funding fromtheVietnamese government.

CSI Vice President for InformationTechnology,Dr.Michael Kress,observes that there is a“terrific fit”between CSI and PTIT, as many coursesfrom PTIT can transfer to CSI forcredit. Last spring and fall PTIT andCSI students participated in aVirtualClassroom,via videoconfrencing, thatfocused on global issues of economicgeography. This spring the PTIT studentsand our CSI students will continue toshare theVirtual Classroom inpreparation for future exchange.

CSI FurthersTies withPrestigious Vietnamese Institute

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COOPER WINS Peace History Society Lifetime Achievement Award

CSI Professor Co-ProducesACADEMY AWARD-NOMINATED SHORT DOCUMENTARY

Dr. Sandi Cooper, Professor ofHistory at the College of StatenIsland, has been named thelatest recipient of the LifetimeAchievement Award by thePeace History Society.

Regarding the award,which waspresented at the Society’s banquetlast fall,Cooper says,“I am deeplytouched,honored, and slightlyembarrassed by the award votedto me for LifetimeAchievement bythe Peace History Society. As amember since its founding,I knowthere are several other scholarsin this country and abroad whose

achievements are impressive andthey too ought to be so recognized.

“The scholarly group,”Coopercontinues,“which creates andsustains our community of peopleconcerned with the historic meansby which peace has been won,lost,preserved, created, andchanged over the centuries,includes a range of politicalideologies whose intellectualwork is obviously tied to globalrealities. I am happy to beincluded in such company.”

GingerWilliams, President of thePeace History Society, comments

that LifetimeAchievementAwardwinners are“chosen to receivethe award based on their scholarlycontributions to the field of peacehistory and based on theircommitment and service to thePeace History Society.”

“Sandi Cooper has been an activeand steadfast member of the PeaceHistory Society for many years,”Williams adds.”We are pleasedthat she will receive the secondLifetimeAchievement Award.”

The winner of the first LifetimeAchievement Award was Prof.Charles Chatfield.

Ming Xia,Professor of Political Science at the College of Staten Island,has recently attracted the attention of theAcademy of Motion PictureArts andSciences,as China's Natural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province, a short documentary that Xia co-produced,was nominated for anAcademyAward.The documentary,made for HBO Documentary Films, chronicles the aftermath of the May 2008 earthquake that struck China's SichuanProvince,killing approximately 70,000 people,many of them children.Parents of the victims,many from one-child families,demanded explanationsfrom Chinese govenment officials for the faulty contruction of school buildings that collapsed in the quake claiming the lives of school children.

An Eye on CSI original article.

CSI Professor Emerita Irene Deitch has had alongstanding idea to reach out to the College’sretired professors in an effort to reconnectthem to the College community.With the recentcreation of theAcademy of Retired Professors(ARP), that dream has become a reality.

Discussing the idea,Deitch explains,“We havethe [CSI] Foundation,we have the Friends[of CSI], and I always felt that there was apiece missing from that and that was theretired professors…This is a really high-poweredgroup.We’ve done great things within the

College–academically, professionally, andcertainly with the community–and it’s ashame to lose all that potential.”

Deitch recalls that the process of putting thegroup together began during the planning ofa memorial service held last May for Dr.Sherry Blackman, a retired Professor whodied suddenly last April.With Prof. ShermanHeller and the help of the Department ofMathematics,Deitch received a list of retireesso that she could contact them to informthem of the service.As a result,many former

faculty members attended and PresidentTomás Morales,who spoke eloquently at theevent,without having had the opportunityto meet Prof. Blackman, approached Prof.Deitch afterward to ask her to put the Emeritigroup together.

With the gracious luncheon in PresidentMorales’s Board Room and the presence of Dr.Ann Lubrano as a College liaison,ARP held itsinitial meeting.AnARP core group,consistingof Professors Emeriti Bob Chiles,Ann Merlino,James Saunders, and MimiTausner (secretary),met to discuss the mission of the group,whichis summed up in their motto,“Connectingwith Colleagues,College,Community.”

A meeting withVice President for InstitutionalAdvancement and External Relations BarbaraEshoo and Dr. Lubrano was held later withProf.Deitch, during which plans wereproposed ensuring the success of theAcademy.Vice President Eshoo was extremelysupportive of the new undertaking.

In addition, President Morales held a well-attended reception for retired faculty at hishouse last September as a way to encouragethem to come back and become involvedwith CSI. Prof.Deitch also invited FacultyEmeriti to last October’s Convocation and aVeteran’s Day speaking event.

Academy of Retired Professors CONNECTS WITH FACULTY EMERITI

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State Office of Alcoholism andSubstanceAbuse Services(OASAS) Commissioner

Karen M.Carpenter-Palumboannounced last fall that OASAS-Certified Education andTrainingProviders will offer free tuitionfor unemployed NewYorkers toenter the addictions workforce,now one of the nation’s top tengrowing occupations.

The College of Staten Island wasawarded $16,800.Otherawardees include:City Collegeof NewYork, AlcoholismCouncil of NewYork,AmericanInstitute for Hypnotherapy andPsychotherapy, FordhamUniversity Graduate School ofSocial Service, Argus Career

Training Institute,KingsboroughCommunity College,and OutreachTraining Institute. Statewide,OASAS awarded $500,000 infederal stimulus funding throughtheAmerican Recovery andReinvestment Act to 14 OASAStraining providers.The funding,provided by the NYSDepartment of Labor,will trainnearly 130 unemployed orunderemployed individuals incareers in the addictions field.

Governor David A. Paterson said,“At a time when there is onlyone job available for every sixunemployed NewYorkers, thefield of addictions, like manyothers in the health careindustry, is not only hiring but

projected to grow in the comingyears.NewYork City is one thatis loaded with talented NewYorkers ready,willing, and ableto work.This funding willprovide NewYork City residentswith an opportunity to learn anew craft and become part of anin-demand field.”

“Addictions counseling is one ofthe top ten fastest growingoccupations nationally,” saidCommissioner Carpenter-Palumbo.“As there is a criticalshortage of addictionscounselors, there is greatdemand by employers to hireindividuals with this valuablecredential. Addictionscounselors find this work highly

rewarding and it is gratifying tomake a difference in anotherperson’s life.”

Hugo J.Kijne, PhD,ExecutiveDirector,Continuing Educationand Professional Development,College of Staten Island said,“The College of StatenIsland/CUNY has six studentswho started in its CASAC programin February with OASAS funding.There is a high need forgraduates of the program onStaten Island, so the fundingboth serves the interests of theindividual recipients and catersto the needs of the community.”

CSI RECEIVES STIMULUS FUNDS to Offer Job Training forIn-Demand Addictions Professionals

CSI EXPANDS Students’ Horizons to Italy

For over 25 years, the College of StatenIsland, together with institutional partners,the American University of Rome (AUR),

the Instituto Venezia, and Lorenzo de’Medici(LDM) in Florence andTuscania, has enabledhundreds of students to discover the delightsof Italy and to experience the life-changingeffects of studying abroad.

The programs,which are offered to CSI andCUNY students, and nationally, through theCollege Consortium for International Studies(CCIS), have been growing in popularitythroughout the years.As of 2008,415 studentshad studied in Italy under the auspices of theCollege of Staten Island.

Last summer, PresidentTomás and Mrs. EvyMorales visited LDM andAUR to meet ourpartners and learn more about the wonderfulopportunities our students have to study inFlorence,Rome,Venice, andTuscania–fourdistinctly different and rich settings in Italy.

Discussing the programs at LDM,ChrisTingue,Coordinator of EducationAbroad at CSI, says,“CSI students may study abroad at Lorenzode’Medici’s main campus in Florence or inTuscania and nowVenice.There is also aunique“Three Cities” semester program thatwould allow students to do a month inTuscania,followed by a month in Rome and Florence.

All of CSI’s Italian partners work together tohelp make this experience available to allinterested students,as financial aid,scholarships,and careful planning are essential to manyparticipating students.This has led to recentdevelopments at LDM, according toTingue.“In order to build on its long tradition ofcooperation with CSI, and in order to attract

more CSI degree-seeking students, Lorenzode’Medici has now agreed to offer full programcost scholarships to degree-seeking Lorenzode Medici students. For CSI students at LDMsites for fall or spring, they may benefit froma full program cost scholarship equivalent toover $7,500 or partial program scholarships forthe short-term winter and summer sessions.Through increased efforts to create campus-wide awareness of the LDM grants,weanticipate more CSI students being able tobenefit from these scholarships and weanticipate seeing more CSI students able tostudy abroad in Italy via the LDM programs.”

At all participating institutions,CSI studentshave the opportunity to study Italian languagewhile learning about Italy in a wide range ofcourses taught in English.Students earn collegecredit while studying topics that they wouldbe unable to study on their home campus.Whether walking the streets of Florence witha noted art historian, debating issues withstudents in a political science classroom inRome, learning Italian language and cultureinVenice, studying in one of the new coursesin opera and song literature,or enjoying guitarand mandolin studies inTuscania, studentshave“the experience of a lifetime” in Italy.

The experience to study in Italy often has sucha profound effect on students that they becomenatural recruiters for the programs upon theirreturn to the U.S. In fact, study abroad alumnaMargaret Ricciardi ‘86, an adult student andartist, so enjoyed her experience in Florence,that she created the Frank and MargaretRicciardi Scholarship Fund to help othersrealize their dream of studying in Italy.

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Edgar G.Rios is a co-founder andManagingPartner ofWenzi Capital Partners, aPrivate Equity Firm in McLean,VA.

Prior toWenzi Capital,Mr.Rios wasExecutive Vice President and GeneralCounsel of AmeriChoice Corporation, adivision of UnitedHealthcare.Mr.Rios co-foundedAmeriChoice in 1989;his legalexperience and management skills wereintegral to the growth of that company.

Before co-foundingAmeriChoice, he wasa staff attorney at the Los Angeles DistrictCounsel’s Office of the Internal RevenueService,where he represented the IRS beforethe U.S.Tax Court and U.S.District Court,and an interim bankruptcy trustee in theU.S.District Court for the Central District ofCalifornia. He was also a founding partnerin the law firm of Snyder,Rios,and Quevedo.

He is a member of the Bars of NewYork,California,Virginia, and the District ofColumbia. As part of his commitment tofurthering opportunities in Hispanic andother minority communities,Mr.Riosoperates a family foundation that providesscholarships to economically challengedLatino youth. He also serves as aTrusteeof Meharry Medical College in Nashville,TN andThe Brookings Institution inWashington (DC), and is a member of theBoard of Directors of the An-BryceFoundation inVienna,VA.

A native of NewYork City who was raisedin the South Bronx,Mr.Rios holds anABfrom Princeton University and a JD fromColumbia University. He and his wife,Lillian, live in McLean,VA.

EDGAR G.RIOS, ESQ.Named to CSIFoundation Board

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The NewYork Center for InterpersonalDevelopment (NewYork Center) honored theCollege of Staten Island’s Office of Continuing

Education and Professional Development attheir Annual Holiday Gathering last December.

Dr.Hugo Kijne, and the staff of the Office ofContinuing Education and ProfessionalDevelopment, has collaborated with the NewYork Center to strengthen the services andopportunities for out-of-school youth on StatenIsland.Through the NY Center’s Out-of-SchoolYouth program, youth, aged 17 to 21,have beenoffered the opportunity to obtain their GEDsthrough classes on the CSI campus for the pastfour years.The staff from the Office ofContinuing Education and ProfessionalDevelopment has been welcoming andsupportive to the program’s students and hasensured that they have a home at CSI.

“The partnership between the NY Center andCSI has continued to grow, and without theOffice of Continuing Education, under theleadership of Dr.Hugo Kijne, over 300 out-of-school youth would have no hope for theireducational future.Our holiday gathering givesus an opportunity to recognize the College’scontributions to the Staten Island communityand look forward to our continued successpartnering with the Office of ContinuingEducation,” said Dominick Brancato, ExecutiveDirector of the NY Center.

CSI Honored byNew York Center forINTERPERSONALDEVELOPMENT

Braving the cold weather,41 CSIstudents joined a total of 91volunteers from around theBorough in the early morninghours of January 26 to bring aidto homeless and unshelteredindividuals on the Island,whilealso taking a census to give theNewYork City Department ofHomeless Services an idea of theextent of homelessness in theborough.The Staten Islandvolunteers teamed with ProjectHospitality on the Island,althoughthe initiative, Project Hope,wasa City-wide effort.

CSI student Rose Ellicott,whotook part in the event,commentedthat the“Project Hope HomelessOutreach was an experience that Iwill never forget.Being homelessa couple times myself in the past,I really appreciate [the effort] andwant to help the homeless com-munity to get back on their feet.”

John Ryan, another studentparticipant and a CSI EmergingLeader said,“I feel as though thiswas a valuable task involunteering for the communityin which I live and all fiveboroughs.My particular group,unfortunately, did not find anyhomeless people in need ofhelp.However, this may be agood thing because it may meanthe number of homelessindividuals is dwindling,whichis the overall goal of the survey.If we get an accurate count ofthe homeless in the city,we willbe able to better assist them. Itmade me feel great to know Iwas helping the cause.”

“The volunteers were acting asfacilitators to see if there’s a waythat we can meet the needs [ofthe homeless] and offer themshelter for the evening or longerterm if they needed it,”said RobertKing Kee,Coordinator for StudentLeadership Development in theCSI Office of Student Life.“Then,[volunteers worked] to countthe number of homeless folks onStaten Island, and subsequently,City-wide…”

Kee noted that the volunteersreported for orientation at 10:30pmon Monday, January 25 and tookto the streets in teams of four or

five between the hours ofmidnight and 4:00am.Each teamwas instructed to intervieweveryone they encountered onthe street, no matter who theywere or what they were doing.Once the team met a person,they would identify themselvesas canvassers from theDepartment of HomelessServices, and with the person’sapproval, they would ask aboutfive confidential questions, suchas whether they had a place toreside that they considered home.After the assessment, if the teamconcluded that the person wasnot homeless, they would thankthem for their time. If theybelieved that the person washomeless, they would ask themif they needed assistance and/orshelter for the evening.Thevolunteers would then contact arepresentative from HomelessServices,who would dispatch avan to provide assistance to theperson.Kee added that volunteershad food and water on hand toprovide immediate aid, and inthe case of an emergencysituation, they would call 911before calling Homeless Services.

Beyond the immediate and long-term aid that the volunteersprovided,Kee explained that thecensus data will be used byHomeless Services to provideinformation to the federalgovernment on the extenthomelessness in NYC.“If thehomeless and unshelteredpopulation goes up, the City getsadditional funds from the Fedsfor shelters, programs, cityservices, etc. Ideally, you want tosee [the number] go downbecause then it shows that we dohave initiatives that are working.“

Regarding the volunteerrecruitment effort on campus,Kee said that the Office ofStudent Life used a number ofmethods to get the word out,from ads in the CLUE Newsnewsletter and student-run radiostationWSIA to sending fliers toall campus clubs andorganizations, as well as theStudent Government and theEmerging Leaders Program.

Students Mobilize toHELP THE HOMELESS

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CSI Alumni Association AwardsSCHOLARSHIP TO SCHARF

Annual Fund PHONATHONConnects with Alumni Support

Last fall's College of Staten Island Phonathon raised over $20,000 forthe College's Annual Fund, to assist our students with scholarshipsand research stipends, to support new library acquisitions, and muchmore.Volunteers will take to the phones again this spring to garneralumni support for CSI.

The CSIAlumniAssociation hasawarded its $2,000 EndowmentFund Scholarship to junior

Psychology major, Alexa Scharf.As a result of the scholarship,Alexa will receive $1,000 persemester for the 2009-2010academic year.

“The scholarship was a greatopportunity for me,”Alexa said,“because it showed how much Iworked this year and it gives memore of an opportunity to workharder. It also serves as a reminderof what I’m working for andwhat I can achieve.”

Alexa,who eventually hopes tobecome a clinical psychologist,is currently working alongsideher psychology professorsPatricia Brooks and BertramPloog preparing data collectionon a research project that shehopes will result in an honorsthesis. The project will examinewhether low-functioningchildren with autism responddifferently to spoken sentencesthat are in their native languagein comparison to an unfamiliarlanguage.

Beyond her academic work atCSI, Alexa is part of theScholarship Project, promoting,through lectures,the importanceof volunteer and internshipprograms to other students. Shealso works part-time at theGrace Foundation as part of asocial skills program thatenables her to support, educate,and enhance the quality of lifefor children and their familieswho are affected byAutismSpectrum Disorder, and Eden II,working with low-functioningadults with autism.

Alumni and friends once again embarked on a day of fun at MoheganSun Casino this past November. In what is becoming one of the mostpopular trips, another full bus left CSI for the Connecticut casino.This fan favorite allows friends to enjoy time catching up andrelaxing on the ride to Connecticut.Once there, the group was ableto take advantage of all that Mohegan Sun has to offer.With so manyshopping and dining options everyone had a wonderful time.

MOHEGAN SUN TRIP

In celebration of the 400thAnniversary of Henry Hudson’s historicvoyage to what is now NewYork,over 200 alumni and friends gatheredfor a special evening at the New-York Historical Society.Held this pastNovember,this special tour focused on the Hudson River School ofArtists.

Paul Moakley, curator of theAlice Austen House Museum, led thisinformative tour of the work of the 19th-century painters whocaptured the dramatic scenery of that time.This collection is one ofthe oldest and most comprehensive, containing more than 100paintings. It is also considered the first“self-consciouslyAmericanlandscape vision.”Works byThomas Cole, Jasper F.Cropsey, and JohnF.Kensett, to name a few, are included in this collection.

Alumni Learn about Hudson atNEW-YORK HISTORICALSOCIETY

Alumni Association President Vullnet Kolari, Esq. ’98 hosted adinner for alumni in the Scottsdale, AZ area.The November 3dinner was announced through csialumni@large.org and broughttogether a small group to meet withVullnet who is in his firstyear as president of the CSIAA.

Kolari Connects withAZ ALUMNI

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DONNA GERSTLEResearch to Conquer Cancerand Improve the Environment

From her office inthe Biological andChemical SciencesBuilding (6S),DonnaGerstle has beenextremely busy.Currently,Gerstle,

who received a Master’s degreein Elementary Education in 1981and a Master’s degree inEnvironmental Science 1984 fromCSI, and recently a law degreefrom NewYork Law School, is theDirector of the College’s Centerfor Environmental Science (CES),Deputy Chair of the EnvironmentalScience Master’s program, andPrincipal Investigator and Directorof the Staten Island Breast CancerResearch Initiative (SIBCRI).

Recalling how it all began,Gerstlesays,“I started as a graduatestudent in Environmental Scienceand was awarded my first grantfrom the NewYork StateDepartment of Health for a halfmillion dollars to study airpollution and lung cancer onStaten Island. In 1995,we startedthe Center for EnvironmentalScience (CES) where I servedinitially as Associate Director,and now Director. Finding highlung cancer death rates led us toexamine breast cancer death rates,and the Staten Island Breast CancerResearch Initiative evolved.

Battling Breast CancerStaten Island has one of thehighest breast cancer death ratesin the state and the highest deathrate in NewYork City. So, inresponse,Gerstle and her fellow

researchers (Alfred Levine,InterimDean of Science andTechnology;and Jimmie Fata, AssistantProfessor of Biology) at the SIBCRIare working diligently to discoverwhat is causing this epidemicand to educate the communityabout this disease.

According to Gerstle, the SIBCRIis examining breast cancer onthree fronts:“The first is anepidemiological case-control study,which looks at female mortalitydue to breast cancer on StatenIsland from 1980 to 2006.Researchers will examine lifestyleand risk factors.The second is toevaluate how environmentalfactors actually influence breasttissue development.Mammarytissue will be exposed to a set ofknown environmental carcinogensthat exist in the Staten Island air.Finally,we are doing a community-based outreach breast cancereducational program that willwork with health care providers,community-based organizations,elected officials, and schools.”

At present,Gerstle reports thatshe and Dr. Levine are examiningobituary information from theStaten Island Advance. “Thedaily obituaries in the StatenIsland Advance provide accuratelife history information for ourfemale subjects.We are able toobtain residence,occupation,andeducational histories that are bothreliable and publicly accessible.”

In addition,Dr. Fata has begun toexamine breast cancer tissuesamples in his lab, looking at

environmental chemicals foundin the Staten Island air and theireffect on mammary tissue.

Gerstle notes that “Dr.MichaelKress (Vice President forTechnology Systems) is takingcare of all of our computer needs,as well as serving as an advisor inthe development of our databases.”

CSI students are also a part ofthe SIBCRI, joining the large groupof about 20 scientists, attorneys,sociologists,educators,and expertsfrom the NewYork City andstate health departments, andthree physicians who are all partof the effort.

Gerstle says that many of thegraduate students in theEnvironmental Science Master’sprogram participate in importantaspects of the breast cancerresearch.Their projects include,but are not limited to, riskfactors in relation to breastcancer, such as parity, length ofresidence on Staten Island, andquestionnaire development.

Working for a CleanerCommunityBeyond her breast cancerresearch,Gerstle is also strivingto take on the Borough’senvironmental problems underthe auspices of the Center forEnvironmental Science.Just as herSIBCRI studies are multifaceted,so are her environmental projects.“Our students, as well as myself,at the Center have been involvedin water pollution research.Mostrecently we have looked at

nitrogen in the waterways of NewYork.At CES we are committedto active involvement in theenvironmental justice movement.Last May we sponsored aconference entitled“EnvironmentalJustice:History,Issues,andOutlook.”

Gerstle notes,“CES is a placewherethe Staten Island community cancome and ask questions. CEShas been a community resourcefor over 20 years now.”

Gerstle has also been a NewYork State Commissioner withthe Interstate EnvironmentalCommission,which is a tri-stategovernmental agency withregulatory powers in water, for32 years.

Putting It All into PerspectiveAs Gerstle juggles a vast numberof duties and titles at CSI andbeyond, she reflects positively onthe education that she receivedat the College.“My CSI educationhas led me to be able to do thisimportant work.My professorsin Environmental Science,throughan interdisciplinary approach,engaged me in taking a systemsapproach to research.My greatestgift from CSI is my Master’s degreein Environmental Science,because it opened up an entirenew world.”

Her invaluable work has gaineda lot of attention.Recent awardsand recognitions include honorsfrom the NewYork City Councilas aWoman in History by CouncilSpeaker Christine Quinn (March2009), recognition from the CSI

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Athletic Association for breastcancer work,and she was honoredby her law school last year as awoman in Environmental Science.

With so much activity andinvolvement, obviously,Gerstle’sprofessional life has its ups anddowns.On the positive side, shepoints out that“my job is differentevery day.So many people ask mewhat I do and every day there’ssomething different. It can begoing to the Health Departmentto work with data, it can belooking at death certificates, itcan be meeting with citizens, itcan be meeting with theAmericanCancer Society, and it can bemeeting with elected officials…It’s never the same…It’s alwaysexciting.I think themost rewardingthing for me is having the honor toactually be able to work in cancerresearch and hopefully be ableto get us a step closer to findinga way to prevent breast cancer.”

The most challenging part of herlife, according to Gerstle, is“coming up with new anddifferent ways to do things veryinexpensively.The science iseasy compared to getting themoney.That’s difficult. . . .”

What does the future hold forGerstle and her research?“Hopefully, continued funding ofSIBCRI will enable us to shine alight on the health challenges thatNewYork City women face andthe reassurance that one day wewill have a better understandingof the promotion and developmentof breast tumors.”

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Debra Evans-Greene has a long andimpressive track record at CSI ofworking to ensure that students from

historically underrepresented groups gettheir diplomas, both at the college and highschool levels.However, beyond her officialcapacity as a director of student retentionprograms such as the Science andTechnology Entry Program (STEP), theCollegiate Science andTechnology EntryProgram (CSTEP), and the College SuccessInitiative/Black Male Initiative (BMI)program on campus,many CSI studentsthroughout the years have come to knowher as their special friend and mentor,thanks to the guidance that she has giventhem throughout the years.

A Long Association with the College

Evans-Greene was focused on pursuing herbaccalaureate education at CSI as a Nursingmajor, but soon gravitated to Sociology, adiscipline that gave her a brand new outlookon life at the old Sunnyside Campus,whereshe worked for the Dean of Students. In thespring of 1999, she received her Associate’sdegree in Liberal Arts, and Bachelor’s degreein Sociology/Anthropology. “I becameinterested in cultures, interacting withpeople, and learning about different cultures,particularly AfricanAmerican culture,” sherecalls.“Basically, I learned about differentcultures and how people perform the waythey do,why people act the way they do,and it became interesting becauseoftentimes you don’t know why people dowhat they do. It’s because of theenvironment they come from. It’s because ofthe cultures in which they live.”

Evans-Greene began working as a collegeassistant with the STEP program andinterned with the Liberty Partnershipprogram [LPP]; these programs later fellunder the direction of the DiscoveryInstitute.“I was working with [now NYC

councilwoman] Debi Rose and I was goinginto the schools.”Evans-Greene says.“I wasan older student coming back to college; Ibegan working as an LPP intern to help withthe cost of transportation to and fromschool; as I began working with the studentsat New Dorp High School, I really developeda passion for working with young people. Ibegan to realize the relationships I wasbuilding with students in grades 9 thru 12.The first year,when I started, there werestudents who would come to me anddiscuss personal issues. I would give them alittle bit of advice; however, I did not realizesome of the students were actually takingthe advice I was giving them and using it.When students graduate, they would ask meto come to their graduations. Studentswanted my home [phone] number, so Istarted reaching out, giving them mynumber and they would call. I thought,‘Wow,I am making a difference in someone’s life.’ Ibecame like a family member to some of theyoung people I worked with. I got such agood feeling,which developed into apassion for me.”

Beyond her interest in sociology and whatmakes people tick,many of the lives of thestudents with whom she dealt wereextremely difficult, and, although she faced anumber of obstacles herself, this struck adeeper chord.“I was a single parent and thechallenges of trying to pursue an educationwhile working full-time and rearing a childwere very, very difficult.The students I wastalking to—I was kind of their mom, sister,counselor, and mentor. I was looking at themand the challenging issues that they werefacing. Being a single parent, I had no idea ofsome of the issues my students werefacing—my challenges were nothingcompared to these precious young people.Based on my personal life experiences, I feltthat I could perhaps help in some way.Yousee, losing my dad at age 15 and my mom at16 was extremely difficult.Young girls, 16

years old, need their mom and dad. Familymembers stepped in, but nonetheless, thereis nothing like your parents.“I think that wasa pivotal point in my life as I reflect back tomy teenage years.” I reached out tostudents…I kind of took on that role andserved as a mother figure to them.”

Evans-Greene’s connection with theDiscovery Institute deepened as the yearsprogressed. She was offered the position asSTEP program coordinator; learning theintricate workings of the program movedher on to bigger roles. She served as theCSTEP coordinator and then, director ofSTEP and CSTEP.Because many of thestudents in the BMI/College SuccessInitiative program had similar situations tothe students who she was already serving,Evans-Greene also assumed the role of BMIproject director.

A Director with Many Directions

College Success Initiative Program/ BMIIn its fifth year, funded through the NewYork City Council, formally known as theBlack Male Initiative program, the programwas created in response to the decreasingenrollment numbers among Latino andAfricanAmerican males at CUNY colleges.Evans-Greene explains,“There were severalAfricanAmerican males leaving CUNYinstitutions, and the question was why, sothe CUNY Chancellor,Matthew Goldstein,established a University task force to findout which issues minority males faced onCUNY campuses that prevented them fromstaying focused through graduation.” In hercapacity as director, Evans-Greenecollaborates with CSI faculty and staff tochallenge these issues, and works withassistant principals at Curtis and PortRichmond high schools, attempting to createa pipeline from high school to college.College Success Initiative/BMI students ingood academic standing, known as BMI

Debra Evans-GreeneEmpowering Students’ Lives

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Ambassadors and Scholars,“go into the highschools and tutor high schools students whoare having difficulty with math.This year wealso reached out to the English Departmentas well as the History Department at PortRichmond, and Curtis high schools,”Evans-Greene notes.The BMIAmbassadors andScholars receive $10 per hour for theirmentoring and tutoring efforts.Thesestudents are also beginning to hone theirown academic skills, and the high schoolstudents have role models with whom theycan relate.CSI students who are below theminimum academic requirements (2.0),shadow the BMI Scholars in the schools untiltheir grades are up to par; they then becometutors and mentors.

There is also a College-end aspect to theInitiative,where CSI professors reach out toCSI students and serve as role models toensure that the students stay on trackacademically.This year’s first BMI learningcommunity was a huge success.

Science and Technology EntryProgram (STEP)The Science andTechnology Entry Program(STEP) is a state-funded program.“This isgeared toward individuals who have beenhistorically underrepresented in theprofessional fields—it’s leveling the playingfields in science, technology, andengineering and education,”Evans-Greeneexplains.“Also, this is a program for students

who are interested in becoming math andscience teachers as well.Our summerprogram is for students going into seventhgrade the following fall. Students come tocampus for 12 days in July and engage withhands-on science activities.Our academicprogram takes place for 27 weeks when theCollege is in session on Saturday mornings,when students in grades 7 through 12engage in scientific experiments. Eachstudent has to produce an oral presentationat the end of the fall program, and everyonehas to produce an individual science projectat the end of the spring program. Collegestudents,who are taking science coursesthemselves,work with the younger studentsand they serve as mentors and tutors in theclassrooms.We want to expose [the youngerstudents] to the college environment so theydevelop a true understanding for college.”

Collegiate Science and TechnologyEntry Program (CSTEP)

Evans-Greene also oversees this 12-daysummer program that recruits 20 to 30incoming freshmen each year (with an 80average or above) with an interest in pre-med, scientific research, computer science,engineering, biology, chemistry, and scienceor math education. Students experience theCollege environment before actuallybeginning classes and they meet withCollege faculty and key staff personnel, and

engage in chemistry, engineering, andbiology labs.By the time most students becomesophomores, they are interested in researchand work with professors in the sciencelabs. Students serve as interns and get hands-on experience in their chosen fields.

Making a Difference, and AttractingAttention

For the past 20 years, Evans-Greene hasmade a positive impact on so many students’lives through her diligent efforts at theCollege of Staten Island, but also because ofher humanity and dedication.Thanks to hercommitment to the City’s youth,DebraEvans-Greene has received two citationsfrom the NewYork City Council; theEducational Award from the NewYork UrbanLeague; a community service award from the369thVeterans Association; a letter ofcommendation from CSI President Dr.TomásMorales for her work with the CollegeSuccess Initiative; and numerous plaquesfrom her students, thanking her for helpingthem to believe in themselves,which toEvans-Greene, is the best part of hermultifaceted job.

Looking toward the future, Evans-Greene,who now holds a Master’s degree in UrbanAffairs from Queens College/CUNY, is hopingto pursue a Doctorate in Urban Education.

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Once again the holiday season began with the Alumni Association’s annual celebration. This year’s HolidayParty was held on December 7 at Jimmy Max Restaurant. Alumni were treated to an assortment of therestaurant’s specialties chosen by owner and Board Member James McBratney ’05.

As in the past the Holiday Party gave alumni a chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Theevening was filled with reminiscing and storytelling of fond memories. This year also included many new faces,representing some of our more recent alumni, as the event brought together alumni from different generations.

ALUMNI CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS

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Every semester at the College ofStaten Island, the Center fortheArts is abuzz with student

performances in music, drama,and dance.None of this wouldbe possible without the tirelessefforts of Jennifer Straniere,Director of Facilities for theDepartment of Performing andCreative Arts.

Straniere,who is used to havinga chaotic schedule, explains,“Ihave the opportunity to workwith the faculty and students ofthe Drama,Music, and Danceprograms. I supervise all areas ofproduction for the department;this includes our faculty-directedshows, student-directed projects,student music recitals, facultymusic recitals, dance recitals, andeven our annual Kwanzaacelebration.My semesters arevery busy with costumes, sets,props,makeup, lighting,andtaking care of pianos.”

Richmond College DaysStraniere received two degreesfrom CSI’s predecessor RichmondCollege, a BA in History/PoliticalScience with a minor in SecondaryEducation 1973 and an MS inSecondary Education/Social Studiesin 1975. She also worked atRichmond College while pursuingher master’s degree.Her initialcareer path was Education.“Iworked in the EducationDepartment at Richmond Collegebeginning June 1973,”Straniererecalls.“While working in thedepartment I served as assistant tothe Dean ofTeacher Educationand as liaison to the Registrar’soffice. I taught as an adjunct inthe Education Department andsupervised student teachers atPS 18, JHS 2, and IS 61.”However,Straniere left Richmond Collegefollowing the merger of that

institution with Staten IslandCommunity College.

On to the Arts, and Back to CSIAfter she left Richmond College,Straniere’s career plans took aturn toward the theater world,but still resided comfortablywithin the realm of education.“After leaving [Richmond College]I started working in professionaltheater and became a union stagemanager. I thenmoved to the Boardof Education and began workingin the public schools, both as ateacher and a working artistthrough ProjectArts,”she explains.

Eventually, Straniere returned toCSI as a production manager/stagemanager in theWilliamsonTheatreat the Sunnyside Campus andwhen the Center for theArtsopened on theWillowbrookCampus, she continued to workfor the College in that capacity.Then, in the fall 2003 semester,she was hired in her current role.

The Ups and Downs of a FullProfessional LifeAs one would expect, being in aposition of such immenseresponsibility has its share ofbenefits and challenges.On theplus side, Straniere notes that “Ifind that working with the studentshas been the most rewarding part

of my job. It is very important tome that the students are proudof their productions and recitals.I try to do whatever is necessaryto ensure that they make the bestpresentation possible and do nothave to worry about the technicalaspects of their projects. It is alsomy job to promote the activitiesof the Department of Performingand Creative Arts. It is wonderfulto see our productions and recitalscovered in the Staten IslandAdvance and a full audience inthe theater at every performance.Being a member of the Collegecommunity,” she continues,“alsogives me the opportunity to workon other projects on campussuch as the Fall Festival and theCelestial Ball.”Both events werea success, in part, because of theexpert guidance and planningoffered by Straniere as a memberof the committees thatorganized those events.

As far as challenges are concerned,her chief enemy is the clock.“Ithink finding the time to geteverything done is the biggestchallenge. I juggle three differentprograms,which involve manyfaculty members and students,and there are times whenprojects overlap. It is my job to

make sure everything is doneand that it all runs smoothly.”

Woman of AchievementStraniere’s hard work has notgone unnoticed.Recently, shereceivedWoman of Achievementhonors from the Staten IslandAdvance. “The Advance beganthis award in 1962 and every yearsince they have recognized anew group of women who areinvolved in service to thecommunity,”Straniere explains.“I was really surprised by thenomination, especially when Ilearned how many differentpeople submitted my name tothe Advance. I think I am typicalof the women who havereceived this recognition in thatwe all are doing things we enjoydoing,which really benefitothers. It is not somethinganyone ‘campaigns’ for. It isStaten Island’s way of saying‘thank you’ to women who arehelping to make our communitya special place in which to live.”

As for her opinion regarding herselection,she says,“It was an honorto be selected …I have had theprivilege of working with manyWomen of Achievement over theyears and it is an amazing feelingto be a member of this selectgroup. I have had the opportunityto be involved with manyorganizations on Staten Islandand through them I have beenable to touch many lives. I hopeI have instilled in the people Ihave helped the importance ofassisting others.”

Looking Back and ForwardAs she recalls the impact thather Richmond College educationhad on her professional life,Straniere states,“When I graduatedfrom Richmond College my planwas to become a teacher. I have

Serving the CSI and Staten IslandCommunities through the Arts

Jennifer Straniere

CourtesyoftheStatenIslandAdvance

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CourtesyoftheStatenIslandAdvance

done that and much more. I havehad the chance to teach creativedrama to elementary schoolstudents and technical theater tohigh school and college students.I share my love of history everytime I direct a drama or a musical.My professors gave me a love oflearning; they gave me the abilityto share this love and teach others.

“The‘70s were a very special timeat Richmond College—a chanceto study history while it wasunfolding all around us.The collegehad many amazing professorsbut some do stand out. I lovedAmerican History with ProfessorGreenberg and the GermanHistory courses taught byProfessor Moorhus. ProfessorSilvernail supervised me as astudent teacher and then after Igraduated gave me the opportunityto be the supervisor.All of theseprofessors were committed totheir students and making surethat we got the most out of theirclasses. I have tried to continuethat tradition.”

So,what does the future hold forthis CSI alumna whose workenhances so many lives? Stranierehopes“to continue working inthe arts and in education.Thereare many performing organizationson Staten Island and I feel thecontinuing need to remind peopleof how important it is to supportthese groups. I constantly try topromote the Center for theArtsas a venue for local groups touse for their performances.Thishas the benefit of providing aprofessional quality space forthem and gets Staten Islanders tocome to CSI and discover what agreat school it is,with manyeducational opportunities forthem or their family members.”

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The SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation,and Knowledge) program andAlumniAssociation hosted over 80 alumni, faculty,

and friends to celebrate 43 years of the programand the many successes of its students.

The event, held in theAtrium of Building 1A,gave guests the opportunity to mingle andcatch up with old friends and professorswhile enjoying refreshments. Attendeeswere also able to tour SEEK’s offices andcomputer lab and view projects and artworkthat were on display. In addition, a videooverview of today’s SEEK program, entitledSEEK in Action was screened.

Currently there are 504 students enrolled inthe SEEK program at CSI. SEEK helpsstudents to reach their potential throughvarious programs, counseling, and support.

Dr.Roberta Vogel,Deputy Director of SEEKand the host for the evening, gave remarksand introduced others including Provost andSenior Vice President for AcademicAffairs Dr.William Fritz, Associate Director of Alumni

Relations Jennifer Lynch, and (former) SEEKCareer Specialist Christopher Carbone, ’93.Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. JeraldJones-Woolfolk brought greetings on behalfof CSI President Dr.Tomás Morales.Dr. Jones-Woolfolk stressed how important SEEK is,noting how the program“takes everyone,regardless of where you are from, andembraces you,”adding that “SEEK takes youfrom where you are to where you need tobe.”Before ending Dr. Jones-Woolfolkreminded those present that “the programneeds you to be able to do for it what theprogram had done for you,”noting that “youshould give back to those who gave to you.”

The most moving part of the evening camewhen some of the SEEK alumni made theircomments. Antonio Gallego ‘95 mentionedthat the SEEK program provided a guidinglight, remembering how the programshowed him how to register and whichclasses to take, stating that he wouldn’t bewhere he is today without it and that heowes SEEK so much.

Kevin Mamakas ‘06 also noted that SEEK gothim through college and has given him somuch assistance that he even felt that helpwhen he was pursuing his master’s degree.

Regina Chisolm,who graduated last January,spoke about her SEEK experience.Regina saidthat she could not imagine a better programand is so proud to be a member of SEEK.

Before Dr.Vogel ended the program, specialrecognition was given to SEEK DirectorGloria Garcia for serving as the Director for20 years.Dr.Garcia,who had spoken earlierabout the program and the students,thanked everyone present, giving specialrecognition to the office staff for their workthat evening.Dr.Garcia also announced thenewly created SEEK scholarship fund, towhich the CSI Alumni Association donated$500 in start-up funds.

The evening’s catering was provided byJames McBratney ’05 owner of Jimmy Maxx.

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SEEK Hosts a Successful Reunion

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Registered Nurse at a localhospital, my older daughterwill graduate from theUniversity of Michigan - AnnArbor this year and enter theUniversity of Illinois Collegeof Medicine in the fall of 2010,and my younger daughter is asophomore LegalStudies/Criminal Justice majorat the University of Wisconsin- Madison. It has been quite aride since 1971!!

Stewie (Stewart) Perlman,Richmond College ‘71, ‘72I returned to Richmond aftergraduating in 1971 for the1972 fall semester to earn ateaching credential, finished afew semesters later, moved toSan Francisco, and have beenteaching for the past 36 years.Of course, there's considerablymore to my life, but I willalways have fond memories ofthe time I traveled by bus,subway, and ferry to get toschool. Richmond Collegesaved my academic life inmany ways because of itsinterdisciplinary curriculum,personal touch, and smallcollege setting on Bay Street.

Jo-Ann Merla ‘72 I recentlybecame a grandmother for thefirst time. I have a gorgeousgrandson named Joey. I taughtfor ten years after getting myBachelor's in English atRichmond College and my MAfrom NYU. I have been aprominent real estate brokerin Rockland County for manyyears. I love living in Nyackwith a beautiful view of theHudson River. I actually sold ahome to a Richmond Collegegraduate who actually remem-bered me. I had a wonderfulexperience at RichmondCollege, now College of StatenIsland. Happy New Year to allof the alumni.

John Gino ‘72, ‘74, ‘79, Myeducation consists of: Collegeof Staten Island: BA SecondaryEducation ’72, MA in History’74, Sixth-Year Certificate inSchool Administration ’79;Rutgers University: Master’s inLibrary Science ‘76

I have taught social studies atPort Richmond High Schoolfrom 1972 to 1990. I wasAssistant Principal Guidanceand School Security at McKeeCareer / Technical High Schoolfrom 1990 to 2006. I retired in2006.

I am married (Phyllis Pistilli‘76) with three children (JohnJr., Lori, and Lisa ’10 ). Onegranddaughter is on the way!

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Dr. Charley Eichler,Richmond College graduate‘69 I am happily retired andhappily single so my life doesnot change much on aperiodic basis. I travel allaround the world averaging 12weeks a year, spending themoney I saved over myworking years. My two catsand my two parakeets are myonly living family that Idesire.

I still live in the same house inBay Ridge that I was born inover 62 years ago. I finallyretired from going to schoolwhen I hit 60! Have a HappyNew Year!

Prof. Charles Rubenstein, PhD,CEng SICC ‘67, RichmondCollege ‘69, and CSI Hall ofFame Honoree ‘93 Just aquick note to let you knowthat I am currently an electedmember of the Institute ofElectrical and ElectronicsEngineers, Inc. (IEEE) Board ofDirectors serving as 2010-2011Region 1 Director. Region 1,IEEE's Center of Technology,oversees the activities of nearly35,000 members in eight statesof the northeastern U.S.(Connecticut, Maine, Massa-chusetts, New Hampshire,New Jersey, New York, RhodeIsland, and Vermont). IEEE,the largest professionalassociation dedicated to theadvancement of technology,has over 375,000 membersworldwide in 160 countries,publishes 30% of the world’sliterature in electrical andelectronics engineering andcomputer science, and sponsorsor co-sponsors hundreds ofconferences each year.

Alverna Eriksson, ARNP ‘71I received my master’s degreeand I am now an ARNP andstill working. I am nowworking on my doctoraldegree and I am also now 86years young.

Jerod M. Loeb, PhDRichmond College, BS ‘71For the past 15+ years, I havebeen Executive Vice Presidentfor Quality Measurement andResearch at The JointCommission in Chicago (havingpreviously been with theAmerican Medical Associationand Northwestern UniversitySchool of Medicine). At North-western, I am still AdjunctProfessor of Physiology. I alsoserve as Fire and PoliceCommissioner for BuffaloGrove, IL. My wife is a

KeepingTabs

CALLING ALLALUMNI!Did you recently?....

•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 just havesome piece of newsyou’d like to share withour alumni family?

Send your class notes toalumni@mail.csi.cuny.edu

If so – wewant to know!

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CPT Mary Turbiak ‘97I graduated in 1998 (I think) witha BA in Anthropology/Sociology.My most memorableprofessors are/were Dr. SoniaRagir, Dr. Andy Ohan, andProf. John Farley. I became aCommissioned Officer in theUnited States Army NurseCorps. My most recent dutystation is Fort Bliss, El Paso,TX. I work 12-hour nights asOIC in the combined intensivecare unit at William BeaumontArmy Medical Center. I amcurrently deployed (OIF 09-10) in Iraq. I work as a 66H8A(critical care nurse) with TaskForce 28th Combat SupportHospital in Baghdad. I missmy family and friends.

Denise Amore ‘98This year I started my tenthyear of teaching in SpecialEducation. I am currently at awonderful school located inEast Williamsburg in District14. We are an "A" school witha wonderful Special Educationteam!

Bernard A Polnariev, PhD ‘98I recently received myDoctorate in DevelopmentalPsychology from the CUNYGraduate Center in October2006. I published mydissertation this pastNovember "Dynamics ofPreschoolers Self-regulation:As a Function of ConflictResolution Strategies duringPeer Free-play" (which can befound online athttp://library.gc.cuny.edu/INFO/dissertations/diss_2006_2007.htm orhttp://berkeley.worldcat.org/oclc/77495517?&lang=es). Ihave been the Director ofASAP [Accelerated Study inAssociates Program] atLaGuardia Community Collegesince Sept. 2008. The programis a huge success and has beenaddressed by the Mayor andCUNY Chancellor over thepast two years. We have justbeen funded for anothercohort and will be part oflarge MDRC study in fall 2010.

Judy Aspinall ‘00I am now married. My newlast name is Brown. Right nowI live in San Diego working asa pediatric dentist. My husbandis also a dentist. We also havea 16-month-old daughter.

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have built a dog daycare,boarding, and training facilityin back of our new home inPleasant Hill, OR. It is a state-of-the-art facility that isdouble-fenced, which allowsour daycare and boardingpups to run on part of theproperty—part of theproperty means 2.5 acres. Weown five acres in total.

If you care to check us out weare Opportunitybarks.com - inPleasant Hill, OR, a mostwonderful place to live.

Concetta (Connie) Lamorte[formerly Chilvers] ‘84 Wewere blessed with our firstgrandchild this past year,Aidan Scott McAllister, born tomy daughter Deborah andson-in-law Sean on May 16,2009. Two years ago, I self-published a book entitledEnchanted Evil, which can bepurchased online throughiUniverse.com

Albert F. Barry ‘90 I havebeen assigned to FDNY Engine65 in Times Square for thepast 11 years, which is knownas "The Midtown Mob." I amalso the office manager andmedical biller for Dr. Carol M.Russell OB/GYN in Silver Lake(www.drcarolrussell.com)who just happens to be mywife of six years. We broughta 6 lb., 8 oz. baby boy by thename of Emmett Albert Barryinto the world on January 1,2010 and are in awe of his life.We have resided in MeiersCorner for the past eight yearsafter 32 years in Great Kills.We are very proud of thevolunteers at WSIA who keepthe tower humming!

Carmen R. Zuzworsky ‘90, ‘96I am starting my 14th yearteaching as Adjunct Lecturerat CSI. The Modern Languagesdepartment is where myprofessional heart is. Mystudents have always addedjoy to my life. December 19marked my 45th anniversarywith Robert John Zuzworsky.Our life together has beenblessed with two daughtersand twin grandsons who arenow ten years old.

Robert Glass ‘96 I welcomeda baby girl, Emma Grace Glass,on June 2, 2009.

Christopher Hellstrom ‘96, ‘99My wife Erika, big sisterMadeline, and I adopted VioletEve this past November.

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Gianfranco Bonanni ’77 Ihave been unemployed for 27months and am expecting myfirst grandchild in May.

Janis Dugan-Rey ‘77 I amenjoying life in Sarasota, FL.Any graduate from theJanuary ‘77 class of theNursing Program can contactme at janax03@yahoo.com.

Arlene Guadagno, MSEnglish Ed '75 I just retiredthis summer, after a 25-yearcareer as an English teacher,chair, and K-12 director inLong Island. I share my timew/my retired husband, Tom,in our pied-a-terre in NYC andour country home in LongIsland. I miss working not atall! Retirement is the greateststage of life!

Michele Rosenberg-Kunz,SICC ‘78 As a graduate fromthe SICC Nursing AASprogram—it is obvious manyyears [have passed] since Igraduated in 1978. I hadworked at Eger Nursing Home,went to SUNY Plattsburgh toget my BSN, and LIU Brooklynto get my master’s and NursePractitioner cerification. Iworked at Long Island CollegeHospital in Nursing Educationand Nursing Informatics forthe past 25 years. Now for thepast six months I have beenemployed as the Director ofNursing Education at MercyMedical Center in RockvilleCenter on Long Island. I havere-edited and published aFlorence Nightingale book—Notes on Nursing. I have amedical training business witha focus on teaching ACLS, PALS,and BCLS. I can be reached atwww.michelekunz.com.

Sonya M. Mandel ‘83, ‘90I worked for 20 years as aSpecial Education teacher inthe inner city of New York.After resigning from myteaching position I started myown pet sitting business inNew Jersey where I residedfor ten years. My pet sittingbusiness grew so quickly that Ihired two wonderful womento work with me. We workedtogether for four years takingcare of people's wonderfulpets. After four years, it wastime to move on and move onI did; I gave my business tothe two women who workedwith me. My partner of 16years and I packed up twodogs, one rabbit, and a ferretand moved to Oregon. We

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Rose McCarthy [ Longo] ‘73My residence is in New Jerseyclose to Atlantic City. Mycurrent job is CardiologyOutreach Coordinator forAtlantiCare. My role takes meinto the community to teachcardiovascular disease, andalso detect undiagnoseddiabetics. I also work at a drugand alcohol rehab facility andwith a program for obesechildren. Becoming an RN hasgivenme somany opportunitiesand versatility. I am veryinvolved with my community.I am the President of theAtlantic City Rotary Club andI am on the executive boards ofthe American Red Cross and theAmerican Heart Association.

I have worked as an RN sincegraduation in 1973 and lovemy career.

My son (27) and daughter (25)are both college graduates andwonderful young adults. I can bereached at bluerose46@aol.com.

Maryanne Cazzetta ‘74 I wasone of the open enrollmentstudents at CSI. I had twoschool-age children and did allmy studying during the nightwhile the family was asleep.

After CSI, as a Psychologymajor, I became involved inthe Staten Island MentalHealth Society, where I servedfor four years as President ofthe Board of Directors. I alsowent to work forOppenheimer, a Wall StreetBrokerage firm, took theSeries 7 exams, and became aRegistered Rep. Assistant.

I retired and moved toWestlake Golf and CountryClub in Jackson, NJ six yearsago, where my husband and Iplay golf three to four times aweek. I am also Chairpersonof the Public RelationsCommittee at Westlake andrecently wrote a radio ad forGolf Outings, which has beenaired on WWZY Radio.

In 2010, I have two grownchildren and four grandchildren.The oldest grandchild is incollege. My husband, Vincent,and I will be celebrating our50th Wedding Anniversary onNov. 12, 2010.

I loved my time in school. Theteachers were very helpful,knowing it was so many yearsbetween high school andcollege for me. There were sofew of us "older" students atthe time.

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The winter sports season iscoming to a close at CSI, andthe turn into March holds the

promise for extended postseasonplay, as all four CSI teams will bein the mix to bring somehardware home to the Sportsand Recreation Center.

No other CSI program has had amore recent history of nationalsuccess than the CSI Men’sSwimming and Diving team.Whilethe group hasn’t collected aCUNYAC Championship,they havesaved their best performancesfor the national scene, scoringbetter than their CUNYACbrethren at the ECAC,Metro, andNCAA championships.

CSI’s Pavel Buyanov, an ECACand NCAA record holder in 100-and 200-yard Breaststroke events,has collected a total of threeNCAA gold medals at postseasonchampionships over the pasttwo years, the first nationalchampionships for CSI in anysport, and the junior is lookingfor gold again in March at theNational Championships inMinneapolis,MN.Buyanov willbe competing in both Breaststrokeevents as well as the 50-yardFreestyle competition.

The biggest improvements lastyear in the pool, however,belonged to the duo of NikolayShevchenko andVladislavRomanov,whose signature eventsare the Butterfly and Backstroke,respectively. Both will representthe College at Nationals, and bothwere on the cusp of medaling ayear ago and stand poised tomedal in 2010 with timesimproving across the board.

The trio of CSI swimmers wasjoined this year at the ECAC OpenChampionships in Pittsburgh, PAin late February, by CSI women’sdiver April Bartlett.The freshmanstandout obliterated theCUNYAC record book for divingat this year’s championships and

did more damage at the ECACs.The ECAC Open is a prestigiousevent that pits student-athletesfrom all NCAA divisions againsteach other in the pool.Whilestiff competition was had at thechampionships, the CSI swimmersand divers all bolstered theirmarks in the pool as they settheir sights on Minneapolis.TheCSI men finished in 11th placeat the ECAC Open while thewomen finished in 22nd place,both respectable marks consideringteams from across all NCAAdivisions compete in the event.

As a team,both swim teams hada pit stop in Piscataway,NJ, siteof the 2010 Metro Championships,prior to ECACs and NCAAs.Thehighly competitive meet servedas great competition and a greatend to the team portion of theyear with CSI placing higherthan any other CUNYAC schoolon the men’s side, coming ineighth place overall, and thewomen coming second only toBaruch College among theCUNYAC schools competing,placing 15th overall.

Both basketball teams had aspirited run toward a CUNYACChampionship in 2010.

The CSI women held the fourthseed in the eight-team CUNYACTournament and, as always, putup an impressive fight.Cut downto only six players due to injury,the teammade it into the CUNYACsemifinals before falling toeventual-champion BaruchCollege. The defending ECACChampions have advanced to atleast the semifinal round in eachof the last 14 seasons. The CSImen made their 33rd straightCUNYAC postseason appearance.The team appeared in threeCUNY title games since 2000,and their continued rebuildingput them into a quarterfinalmatch before falling to BaruchCollege on February 20.

WINTER SPORTSLooking for Post-Season Prominence

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The long-standing tradition for many during the holiday season isto spend time in the warm indoors with family and loved ones.For the College of Staten Island and Men's Basketball coachTony

Petosa, it isn't much different. However,most recently at CSI, theholidays have served as a chance to reflect on the unfortunateevents of September 11, 2001,when three former student-athletes,TerranceAiken, Scott Davidson, andTom Hannafin, died in theterrorist attacks at theWorldTrade Center. CSI’s annualTournamentof Heroes gives us all a chance to reflect on the heroism andsacrifice of all on that fateful day and this year's installment wasanother rousing success, as the Dolphins invited three nationallyprominent teams to take part in the terrific event.

Piedmont College (GA) took the tournament championship, edgingout Lynchburg,Virginia’s Randolph College. In the Consolation Legof the tourney,CSI powered past Colby-Sawyer College (NH),whofinished the 2008-2009 season a 20-game winner and an NCAANationalTournament invitee. CSI has never come away with thechampionship trophy, but it hardly seems to matter, especially whensome of the nation's top NCAA intercollegiate programs choose tomake it a part of their schedules each year.

Intercollegiate play seems to take a back seat during the tournament,as on clear display throughout the two-day event is a tribute to all ofSeptember 11th’s victims,most notably Aiken,Davidson, andHannafin,whose numbers are the first and only to be retired in CSIbasketball history.

"What made them special was that who they were as basketballplayers echoed to who they were away from the court," commentedPetosa,who coached bothAiken and Davidson, and played side-by-side with Hannafin. "Tommy, even in the tough games, had thathumor, that light disposition. Scott was always intense, on or off thecourt.Terrance was always happy, always smiling."

Aiken, 30,was a computer consultant working on the 97th floor ofWTCTower 1 at the time of the attacks. Davidson, 33, a member ofFDNY Ladder Company 118,was one of the first to arrive on thescene on that fateful day. Hannafin, 36, a member of LadderCompany 8 based in GreenwichVillage, also perished heroically atthe scene. His unit was among the hardest hit by the attacks.

In January 2002, just over four months after the attacks, the jerseynumbers of Aiken,Davidson, and Hannafin became the first everretired in Men's Basketball history in a stirring ceremony during a

regular season contest against Baruch College. To keep theirmemories alive even further, the annual tournament was inuguratedthe following season. Petosa hatched the idea for both events andhas been the biggest driving force behind the tournament since. It'sa labor of love that he is all too eager to take on.

"One of the nicest things ever said to me was by former player,Kassim Nesbitt, after we beat Baruch on the day of the initialceremony," Petosa said. "He said to me,‘Coach, I didn’t realize whatit was like or how important it was to be a part of the CSI family. Itmeans so much to so many.’ I really appreciated that."

Indeed,many have come to learn the true meaning behind thetournament, thanks to the efforts of Petosa and his support staff.This year, as in year's past, the College hosted a post-game receptionfor families of the three fallen heroes and alumni at the conclusion ofthe first evening’s games.

"We’re very pleased that the tournament has gotten so much supportfrom the community as we concluded our eighth year," he said. "Ourgoal when we started the tournament was to ensure thatTerrance,Scott, andTom, and all of 9/11’s fallen heroes,would always beremembered in the way they would have wanted. As always,welook forward to welcoming back friends and family members forwhat has become a yearly tradition for us."

"Every year, the tournament is another reminder of how great it is tobe a part of something special here at CSI," said Associate AthleticDirector David Pizzuto,who normally coordinates the tournamentceremony to honor the three heroes each year. "The memories ofthose three gentlemen are on our minds every single minute of thetournament when we do it each year, and it becomes so much moreimportant than basketball."

Petosa is quick to deflect his efforts on the creation and sustenanceof the tournament, yet enjoys the fact that the event has becomesuch an important function at the College each year.

"It's been real nice to see it become so successful," he noted. "Myfirst goal was to make it to five years.My next goal is another five,and to keep making it into a well-received event on Staten Island."

So far, it is mission accomplished, and CSI has already locked in threenational powers for next season’s installment,which will take placein December 2010.

EIGHTH ANNUAL TOURNAMENT OF HEROESCelebrates the Lives of Basketball Alumni

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OnThursday,December 10,2009,the CSI Pride Committeeand the Intramural and

Recreation program at CSI joinedforces to bring the InauguralFaculty/Staff vs.Student BasketballGame to the Sports and RecreationCenter. Aimed at bringing togetherthe student body with their acad-emic and support staff counterpartsin the spirit of competitive play,the evening was a terrificsuccess that saw great numbers

and awonderful fundraising effortfor the Staten Island BreastCancer Research Initiative.

“We wanted to really incorporateathletics and intramurals withgetting the entire campus togetherfor one big event in our building,”said CSIWomen’s Basketball headcoach Marguerite Moran,whoalso doubles at the campus’sIntramurals Director, and is amember of the Pride Committee.“Everyone really came together

and made this a nice event.”

Nearly 40 participants collectedfor the event,which featuredfive-on-five, full-court basketball,complete with a referee andrunning clock and scoreboard.Moran coached the student team,while Paul Bobb, Interim Directorof Athletics, coached the staff.The entire crew was treated toofficial event jerseys andcomplimentary refreshmentsafter the game.

Amid a host of laughter and goodcheer, the Faculty/Staff teampulled out a come-from-behind,56-54 win, although the studentsdid complain of some one-sidedofficiating after they raced outto a big lead in the first half.

The score hardly seemed tomatter, as everyone in attendancehad an outstanding time, includingCSI President Dr.Tomás Morales,who was courtside to take it all in.

“We had an amazing crowd,” saidCSI Associate Athletic Director

David Pizzuto. “The CSI PrideCommittee and the students dida great job of putting this together,and I think we have the makingsfor what could be anoutstanding yearly event.”

Moran has hopes for organizingsomething sooner, as plans arealready in the works for asoftball game this spring.

While everything associatedwith the evening was free ofcharge for all participants,everyone was asked to providedonations to the Staten IslandBreast Cancer ResearchInitiative, and the organizationtook in some great fundraisingdollars, providing literature andhand-made gifts for purchase.

“Athletics has been partneringwith the SIBCRI for some time,”said Moran. “We really want todo whatever we can for theircause. They were excellent atworking with us and supportingthis event.”

With 18 CUNYAC Championships, adozen NCAA NationalTournamentappearances, and individual honors

that are far too great to mention, it’s hard tobelieve the 2010 Dolphins can do much tobarely chink the armor of what has been animpeccable program run by the Men’s andWomen’s Basketball teams, but this year’sinstallment has seen its share of thrills andhigh marks for past and future alumni.

CSI Athletics’most notable alumus in recentmemory isTony Petosa. A three-time CUNYACChampion during his playing career from 1982to 1986, Petosa has called the CSI sidelineshis home since the 1989 season, guiding theDolphins to three more championship titlesand a mark of what was 14 straight seasonswith an above .500 record. While theDolphins are working their way towardanother winning season, Petosa enjoyedCSI’s first major milestone, becoming onlythe 59th coach in NCAA Division III history

to garner 300 career coaching wins.

Petosa’s achievement came in thrilling fashionas the Dolphins overcame a late deficit todefeat CUNYAC-rival Lehman College, 66-64,on a shot at the buzzer by junior MichaelLedbetter. At the time, it was CSI’s fifth winof the young season, and an emotional Petosawas given the game ball by his players afterthe game.

"I was a little teary-eyed after the game," hesaid, "because we have such great kids andthis was a really great win for us. They reallywanted to go out there and win this one andit was a nice one for us."

Petosa’s effect on the program has beenstriking.As a player, assistant coach, and headcoach, the Staten Island native has beeninvolved in nearly 450 CSI wins, or betterthan 80% of the all-time wins in CSI history.

While Petosa’s efforts certainly were thehighlight of the season, attention was saved

for a trio of CSI players to join the 1,000-point Dolphins club as well this year, leavingmore lasting marks for future CSI alumni.

Senior Kristen Panariello joined theDolphins as a sophomore transfer fromCentenary College (NJ) and actually her1,000th collegiate point last year. However,CSI’s leading scorer saved her 1,000th CSIpoint for midway through this season,becoming only the 15th player in schoolhistory to turn the trick, and only the fifthplayer to do it in less than four years.

CSI scholar-athlete and senior captain RyanHennessey eclipsed the 1,000-point barrierearlier this season. He and backcourtteammate Christian Montervino becameonly the 26th and 27th players to garner1,000 points, but only the seventh andeighth to do it since 2000. Hennesseycomplemented the honor by being named afinalist for the CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete ofthe Month for February 2010.

Inaugural Faculty/Staff vs. Student Basketball Game

Basketball Season Sees Many Milestones for Past and Future Alumni

The College of Staten Island’sStudent-Athlete AdvisoryCommittee (SAAC) has had an

eventful fall and winter seasonthis year, and although they arenot a new entity on the CSIcampus, their efforts have beenstriking and are leaving a lastingmark and a true impression onthe campus community andbeyond. Made up of twomembersfrom each CSI intercollegiateteam, the main goals of the SAACare to foster communicationbetween teams, offer feedbackinto athletics policies andprocedures, build a sense ofcommunity, and perhaps aboveall, enhance a positive image ofathletics on campus withcommunity service activity.

The 2009-2010 year has alreadygone a long way in making theSAAC a dynamic CSI group, onethat has gone above and beyondat setting the tone for civicengagement,heightening esteem,and building a community.

In early 2009, the SAAC electedits new President, senior EdnitaLorenzo, a standout on thewomen’s soccer team,who alsoserves as sports editor of TheBanner, CSI’s student newspaper.

As attention turned to the holidayseason,CSI Athletics, throughthe SAAC,partnered with theTeddyAtlas Foundation to handout turkeys to the Staten Islandhomeless and disadvantagedduringThanksgiving, andworked with the Foundation toorganize its holiday pantry,

aimed at providing food andclothing for the less fortunate.

During Christmas and Chanukah,the group traveled with CSIAssistant Athletic Director forStudent-Athlete Services KatieArcuri to visit Eger NursingHome, spending time with theresidents, playing games, anddesigning festive holiday stockings.

The selfless acts surroundingthe holidays were featured inthe Staten Island Advance andhumbledArcuri.

“The committee came up withthe idea themselves, and westarted the relationship at Egerlast year during the holidays,"said Arcuri,“They went therewith the purpose of spendingsome quality time with thosewho might not get to be withtheir families for the holidays,and they left feeling fulfilled.”

The SAAC hasn’t stopped there.The group was a driving forcebehind the College’s appearanceon the Good Morning AmericaEarly Show during CollegeRivalryWeek, and more recently,the group began a rigorousdonation drive for theAmericanRed Cross’s Haitian relief effort.

“They are a major entity withinour office,” said David Pizzuto,Associate Athletic Director. “Itsometimes comes as a surpriseto them just how influentialthey are in organizing changeand stimulating action.They area dynamic group that we expectcontinued growth from.”

Student-Athlete Advisory CommitteeGIVING BACK AND TAKINGLEAD AT CSI

Engineering Department Receives$25K CON EDISONENDOWMENT

An endowed Engineering scholarship in the amount of $25,000has been established by Con Edison at CSI, open to CSI studentswho are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

Commenting on the endowment,Marilyn Caselli, Con Edison’sSenior Vice President of Customer Operations,who is also a StatenIsland Community College alumna and a member of the CSIFoundation Board, said,“As you know,we are the delivery companyfor the NewYork area and engineering is one of the really criticaltypes of fields that play a very big role at Con Edison. So, it was reallyquite a natural fit for us to be able to support scholarships, especiallywith a focus on engineering.We look forward to hopefully havingsome of the future folks who may work for Con Ed and make adifference being graduates of CSI.”

Mark Irving,Director of Public Affairs for Con Edison on StatenIsland, added,“We’re a company that is based in NewYork, rooted inNewYork.We can’t pick up and leave the city.There are too manywires and pipes in the ground. So this is our future workforce.”

In expressing his thanks to Con Edison,CSI President Dr.TomásMorales pointed to the endowment as one example of thecompany’s vast contributions to the local community.“Con Edison isan extraordinary corporate citizen who provides support toThe CityUniversity of NewYork and, of course, the College of Staten Island.This particular endowment is an addition to many philanthropiccontributions that Con Edison has provided the College… It willhelp us attract the very brightest students and certainly will help usconnect to the Staten Island community.”

In regard to the endowment’s impact at the student level,Department of Engineering Chair Dr. Syed Rizvi mentioned thatmost CSI engineering students also work and have families,“so this isa good thing for them.At least some of them will be supported.Weare very thankful to Con Edison for this generous endowment.”

On a similar theme,CSI Foundation Board President Robert Cutronaunderscored the fact that this endowment will help the Foundationto better meet its goals of bringing students to the College.“Everycent of this gift from Con Edison goes to scholarships. It’s going tohelp people come to the College and that’s what we’re all about…”

Beyond this endowment,Con Edison has provided support for a numberof programs that benefit CSI students and the Staten Island community,including an environmental project at the Eibs Pond Park Preserve inthe borough, a program that gave CSI students the chance to teachabout environmental issues at some of the Island’s public schools,and an environmental curriculum for CSI science education students.

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FIRST ANNUALCelestial BallRaises More Than $500K for Student Scholarships

The CSI Celestial Ball reached for the starsand raised over a half million dollars forstudent scholarships earlier this month.

More than 330 people braved the season’sfirst winter snow in support of the Collegeof Staten Island’s first annual scholarshipgala at the Richmond County Country Club.

The event brought together communityleaders and CSI faculty, staff, and students tocelebrate the significant role that a CSIeducation plays in the lives of so many ofour students, and the transformationalexperience that scholarships can provide tostudents and their families.

CSI President Dr.Tomás D.Morales andProvost and Senior Vice President forAcademicAffairs Dr.William Fritz presentedthe President’s Medal to the Ball honoreeswho included Dr.Gordon and Lorraine DiPaolo,CSI Associate Professor of Businessand President, Benchmark Capital Advisors,respectively,who provide crucial funding forscholarships and other programs at theCollege;Robert Scamardella ’72, Partner,Russo, Scamardella, and D’Amato; and ZaneTankel,Chairman and CEO,Apple-Metro,Inc.,who pledged a $10,000 personal giftduring his acceptance speech.

Another moment of recognition was

dedicated to the Brooklyn Home forAgedMen,which had just announced newscholarships for Geriatric Nursing studentsat the College, totaling $200,000 with a U. S.Department of EducationTitle III matchinggrant of $100,000. In addition, the Home haspledged another $10,000 to the Staten IslandBreast Cancer Research Initiative, inconsideration of the impact of breast canceron the elderly.

Among the attendees were ten CSI studentswho have benefited from CSI scholarships.Although they represented a tiny fraction ofstudents who receive scholarship funds atthe College, their presence helped toreinforce the vast importance of CSIscholarships in the lives of our students,many of whom would not be able to attendclasses here without these funds. Psychologyand Sociology double major MarybethMelendez not only attended the Ball, but hadthe opportunity to meet the Di Paolos andthank them for all that they’ve done for her.

One of the most entertaining andlighthearted aspects of the Ball was anauction, hosted by Brian Laline of the StatenIsland Advance and Larry Arann, PhD.Participants had the opportunity to bid onthe chance to attend exciting events such asa performance of the NewYork

Philharmonic, a tour of the NY Jets stadiumand lunch with a team executive, aperformance of the NewYork City Ballet, aNewYorkYankees game and a tour of theirnew stadium, lunch with President Moralesat the University Club in Manhattan, aspecial screening of an upcoming RosieO’Donnell special at HBO headquarters, anda round of golf and dinner at the RichmondCounty Country Club.Auction prizes weredonated by CSI professor emritus andformer dean,Dr.Michael Shugrue;CSIprofessor emerita Dr. Joan Hartman;VicePresident of HBO Family and DocumentaryProgramming and CSI Foundation BoardMember Dolores Morris;Con Edison,through the courtesy of CSI Alumni BoardMember Phyllis Minacapilli ’91; President,Staten IslandYankees and CSI FoundationBoard Director Joseph Ricciutti ’94;Mr.Michael Gerstle; and Romeo Limousine, LTD.

The Celestial Ball was chaired by Dr.ChristineCea ’88, President of the Friends of CSI andScientist at the Institute for Basic Research;Donna Fauci ’96, ’03,Member of the Boardof Directors of the CSI Alumni Association,andAdmissions Counselor and ProgramCoordinator with CSI’s Office of RecruitmentandAdmissions; and Joseph Ricciutti.

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Popular Island restaurants willshowcase their signature dishes anddescribe how their dishes are prepared.

Sample the bountiful cuisine andenjoy wine tasting, beverages, desserts,raffles, and music by PartyHostDJs.com.

Appearances by celebrity guest chefs:Rob BurmeisterJohn Sierpfeatured on Food Network’s Chopped

F EATUR INGAfternoonesAlfonso’sArirang

TheArmory InnBayou

The Beer GardenBocelli

BridgeTavernBurmeister’s Chow atThe Black Dog Grill

Cake ChefCanlon’s RestaurantChirag Indian Cuisine

Cookie JarDa Noi

Elm Park InnEspaña RestaurantHilton Garden InnJacque’s Caterers

Jimmy Max (Westerleigh and Great Kills)Jody’s Club Forest

Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria InnLa Candela Española

The Lake ClubLorenzo’s RestaurantManor Restaurant

Mezcals Mexican RestaurantMother Mousse

Nucci’s North and SouthOriental PlazaPark Café

San Rasa Sri Lankan CuisineSeasideTurkish Mediterranean Restaurant

South Fin GrillSushi Excellent

R. Ippolito DistributingSuperior Chocolates

TheVanderbiltVino Divino

Z One Restaurant – Diner – LoungeZorba’s Mediterranean Grill

and more

CELEBRATE OUR ISLAND’S DIVERSE CUISINEflavorsSAVOR the

f

EVENT CHA IRPER SON : James McBratney ’05CSI Alumni Board Member and President,

Staten Island Restaurant and Tavern Association

Additional sponsor:

Join the

CSI Alumni Associationand popular Staten Island Restaurants

as we partner for

A Scholarship Fundraiserto Benefit Our Students

Savor the FlavorsCelebrating Our Island’s

Diverse Cuisine

Sunday,March 21,20102:00pm – 5:00pm

College of Staten IslandCenter for theArts Atrium

2800Victory Blvd., Staten Island,NY

RSVP toAlumni Relations Office

718.982.2290alumni@mail.csi.cuny.edu

$40 per person$35 for seniors, students, and veterans

$50 at the door

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• Alumni Online Community www.csialumniatlarge.orgCreate your profile, post on the message board, submit a classnote, register for events, and learn what’s new with fellow alumniand your alma mater! For first-time log-on information, contact theAlumni Relations Office at 718.982.2290 oralumni@mail.csi.cuny.edu.

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

• Home base for alumni connections Connect withprofessional associates, faculty, classmates, and friends.

• Library privileges Present your CSIAA permanent alumni photoID membership card at the College Library for access andborrowing privileges.

• Visitor pass for parking Present your CSIAA permanent alumniphoto ID to the security guard at the entrance for your pass.

• Career Center Continued service and access for alumnipresenting permanent CSIAA photo ID.Résumés, careercounseling, interview skills, and job databank.Call 718.982.2300.IntroducingOptimal Resume,an online career services tool that allowsyou to quickly and effortlessly create essential professional documentssuch as résumés and cover letters as well as investigate crucial job-related skills such as the practice interview or skills assessment.Free for all alumni.Contact the Career and Scholarship Center forthe code so you can register at www.csi.cuny.edu/career/

• 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 fordiscount. 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 perID 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 applicableitems (excludes textbooks).

• Bank of America MasterCard/VisaCall 800.847.7378 and indicate that you are an alumnus/alumna ofthe College of Staten Island for applicable credit card offer.Telephone Priority Code: FABHR4

• Auto and homeowner insurance program through LibertyMutual Savings Plus/American InsuranceAdministrators.Call800.524.9400, follow the prompts, and indicate that you are analumnus/alumna of the College of Staten Island.

• Group Term Life Insurance and Health Insurance throughNEATrust/American InsuranceAdministrators.Call 800.922.1245and indicate that you are an alumnus/alumna of the College ofStaten Island. For a complete listing of programs and availability inyour 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

CSI NATIONAL ALUMNI MAP

LEGEND

Home Addresses

State BoundariesHawaii

Alaska

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

CSI Celestial BallRaising Scholarships

Reaching for the Stars!

The College, the CSI Foundation, and CSICelestial Ball Committee thank the following

donors for their outstanding support:

The December 5, 2009 Celestial Ball netted over one-half million dollars, with 11 newendowed scholarships established for College of Staten Island students.

Please save the date, Saturday, December 4, 2010, for the Second Annual CSI Celestial Ball.

Tomás D. MoralesPresident, College of Staten Island

Robert S. Cutrona, Sr.President, CSI Foundation

Christine Cea, Donna Fauci, and Joseph RicciuttiCelestial Ball Committee Chairs

Presenting Sponsors

Brooklyn Home for Aged Men

Edgar and Lillian Rios,R and R Foundation

College Sponsors

Con Edison

Gordon and Lorraine Di Paolo

Richard Prinzi, Jr.

Diamond Sponsors

Zane Tankel

Silver Sponsors

John K. Castle

CSI Alumni Association

National Grid

Bronze Sponsors

CSI Auxiliary ServicesCorporation

Robert S. Cutrona, Sr.

William and Bonnie Fritz

Brian J. Laline

John Mazza

The Molinaro Group LLC

Northfield Bank

Research Foundationof CUNY

Russo, Scamardella, &D’Amato

YMCA of Greater New York

Blue Dolphin Sponsors

Peter and Christine Cea

Jay and Lucille Chazanoff

Samir and Lisette Farag

Stanley Friedman

JCC of Staten Island

Lawrence J. Karam

David R. Klock

Herbert H. Lehman College

Dolores Morris

William M. Roane

Peter J. Salvatore

Michael F. Shugrue

Signature Bank

Staten Island AudiologicalServices PC

Rose M. Volpe