Graduates Honored During Virtual Commencement

Alumnus Brandon Hasbrouck, ’08, delivered the Virtual Commencement Address on May 17, 2020, and received an honorary degree. Hasbrouck is an Assistant Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA.

The Dominican College Class of 2020 was honored during a Virtual Commencement on Sunday, May 17, 2020.聽 The聽 Commencement premiered on the Dominican College website and Facebook at 12 noon, with graduates, family, friends, administrators, and faculty remotely watching 鈥渢ogether鈥� as they reacted and commented on social media.

Alumnus Brandon Hasbrouck, 鈥�08, Assistant Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington, VA, delivered an impassioned Commencement Address to the graduates. 聽He challenged the graduates to 鈥渄o justice鈥� in whatever career path they choose. 鈥淎 kind of justice that smashes hierarchies, privileges, and entitlement.聽 A kind of justice that requires courage 鈥� courage demonstrated by you throughout your time here at Dominican College 鈥� that even when you take a loss, and you will, you get up every single time and persist,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is no path to justice that is only comfortable and convenient.聽 We will not achieve or create justice until we鈥檙e willing to sometimes position ourselves in uncomfortable places and be a witness.聽 Justice is hard work.聽 It is unending work.聽 It is our life鈥檚 work.聽 You are all ready!鈥�

Dominican College awarded Hasbrouck with the honorary degree of Doctor of Law, in recognition of his accomplishments in the practice of law and of his dedication to criminal justice reform.

More than 560 students received degrees during the Virtual Commencement 鈥� 101 doctorate degrees, 聽130 master鈥檚 degrees, 328 bachelor鈥檚 degrees and four associate鈥檚 degrees.聽 The Commencement was held virtually because of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent stay-at-home orders.聽 Dominican College will be holding in-person graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 on campus, when it is safe to do so.

You can watch the entire Dominican College 2020 Virtual Commencement .

May 17, 2020

Nursing Students Help on Front Lines in Battle Against COVID-19

Joshua Guzman, a senior nursing student, is working as a Patient Care Assistant at the Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, NJ.

Senior nursing student Joshua Guzman is one of the many Dominican College students who are on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19.聽 Joshua is a Patient Care Assistant at the Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, NJ, where he has worked since November 2018.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Joshua has taken on extra shifts and rotated between two COVID-19 floors, the Intensive Care Unit, the Critical Care Unit, and the Emergency Room.聽 He pointed out that nurses who have been on the job for 20 or 30 years have never seen anything like this pandemic, and he is experiencing it with them. 鈥淚 definitely feel very blessed that I am able to help out,鈥� he said. 鈥淏esides the fact that it鈥檚 obviously an experience that鈥檚 unfortunate, it鈥檚 definitely one that is going to be useful in my career.鈥�

In addition to helping the nurses provide patient care, Joshua has also been assisting families in communicating with COVID-19 patients though face-time.聽 He said the use of technology is comforting to family members who are unable to visit patients, but who long to see and communicate with their loved ones.

April 28, 2020

Biology Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Research Grant

Biology Professor Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., has been awarded a $166,042 research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Biology Professor Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., has been awarded a research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).聽 The two-year, $166,042 grant (award #1950018) will enable her to take a year-long sabbatical to work at the Bioinformatics Lab at the University of Massachusetts鈥揂mherst.聽 Connors said she will be working with world-renowned computational biologist Li-jun Ma, Ph.D.

鈥淚 will be spending next year鈥檚 sabbatical with her and her research team to understand how to analyze genomic data with different sequencing technologies,鈥� said Connors.聽 鈥淚 will synthesize that work such that when I come back to Dominican College I can utilize that technology with our students and our undergraduate researchers.鈥�

In addition to furthering her research of microbial communities in Hudson River Valley freshwater streams, Connors said the grant will fund new equipment for Dominican College鈥檚 laboratories and provide stipends for two undergraduate research students at the College.聽 The grant from NSF鈥檚 Division of Environmental Biology is awarded to scientists who have accrued meaningful data about environmental issues and challenges faced in the U.S., but who need financial support to synthesize their work.

April 24, 2020

Clinton Named Coach of the Year by Met Basketball Writers Association

Joseph S. Clinton has been named the All-Met Division II Men’s College Basketball Coach of the Year for the third time.

Dominican College Head Men鈥檚 Basketball Coach Joseph S. Clinton has been named the All-Met Division II Men鈥檚 College Basketball Coach of the Year by the Met Basketball Writers Association.

During the 2019-2020 season, the Chargers captured the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) North Division regular season title.聽 Clinton then guided his team to a second straight conference playoff championship and a second consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament.聽 The NCAA cancelled the regional tournament in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Clinton said he considers the Coach of the Year award 鈥渁 team award鈥� and he credits his coaching staff with doing a great job.聽 聽鈥淭he assistant coaches and players were awesome.聽 They put in a lot of hard work and it paid off for us.聽 We were disappointed they had to cancel the regional because this was a team that had the potential to get to the Elite Eight,鈥� he said.聽 鈥淚 am really going to miss this senior class.聽 They won a lot of games in their careers and won two championships.鈥�

This is the third time that Clinton has been named All-Met Division II Coach of the Year.聽 Clinton, who also serves as Director of Athletics, has 29 seasons and 857 games as the head men鈥檚 basketball coach.

 

April 21, 2020

Philosophy Professor Kevin Hermberg Awarded Lenssen Prize

Philosophy Professor Kevin Hermberg, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2020 Lenssen Prize by the American Association of Philosophy Teachers (AAPT).

Philosophy Professor Kevin Hermberg, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2020 Lenssen Prize for co-authoring the best article on teaching philosophy published in 2018 or 2019.聽 The Lenssen Prize is awarded every other year by the American Association of Philosophy Teachers (AAPT).聽 Hermberg co-authored 鈥淒iversity is Not Enough: the Importance of Inclusive Pedagogy鈥� which was published in the June 2019 issue of Teaching Philosophy.

鈥淭here have been significant efforts within philosophy in recent years to diversify, but the common focal points of that work 鈥� who is teaching, what is taught, who is taught 鈥� are not sufficient for the task; our pedagogies must be fully inclusive if we are to attain true diversity in the discipline,鈥澛� Hermberg said. 鈥淚n the article, we advocate for five principles of inclusive pedagogy: fostering a growth mindset, examining inclusive conceptions of authority, promoting transparency, encouraging flexibility, and, finally, continually promoting self-reflection for both students and teachers.鈥�

The idea to write the article began as Hermberg worked with his co-authors 鈥� Melissa Jacquart, Rebecca Scott, and Stephen Bloch-Shulman 鈥� to prepare to facilitate a series of workshops and found themselves focused on the differences between diversity and inclusivity.聽 The Lenssen Prize is scheduled to be presented at the AAPT鈥檚 biennial conference.

April 15, 2020

College Unveils Commencement Plans for the Class of 2020

College President Sr. Mary Eileen O鈥橞rien has announced that the Class of 2020 will be taking part in graduation ceremonies on campus, when it is safe to do so.

鈥淎t that time, probably in early fall, the graduates will wear their caps and gowns and be recognized in the presence of friends and family.聽 Since we are unsure exactly when and how we will be able to gather in person, we decided to also hold a virtual Commencement on May 17, 2020,鈥� said O鈥橞rien in a letter to graduating students. 鈥淭his virtual Commencement is in addition to 鈥� not in place of — the in-person exercises that will take place with students, faculty, administrators, and invited guests.鈥�

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the subsequent social distancing guidelines, students have been studying online since spring break.聽 Under the circumstances, the College decided that holding both virtual and in-person celebrations is the best solution to commemorate the wonderful accomplishments of the Dominican College graduates.

April 14, 2020

College Donates Equipment to Protect Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Outbreak

Dominican College has donated desperately needed personal protective equipment for healthcare personnel to use during the COVID-19 outbreak.聽 Thomas Nowak, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs, said the College donated聽 N95 masks, basic procedural masks, gowns, and gloves.

鈥淒ominican College absolutely wants to do whatever it can to help during this difficult time.聽 We are well known for our health programs 鈥� from nursing to occupational therapy to physical therapy,鈥� said Nowak.聽 鈥淭hat puts us in a unique situation.聽 Many faculty and graduate nursing students are certainly involved on the front lines and anything the College can do to help out, we will certainly do.鈥�

The personal protective equipment was donated by the College Departments of Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Athletic Training.聽 Equipment was sent to the Javits Center, as well as local ambulance corps.

March 23, 2020

College Unveils New Finish in 4 Program

Dominican College has unveiled a new Finish in 4 program that guarantees students will graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in four years.聽 If a student follows the requirements of the program, but is not able to graduate in four years, the College will cover the cost of any remaining courses needed to complete a degree.

鈥淭he Finish in 4 Program reinforces Dominican College鈥檚 emphasis to provide a high standard of education with a focus on graduating on time,鈥� said Joseph Ahlstrin, Director of Admissions. 鈥淜eeping students on track to pay for no more than four years of college will result in significant savings for the student and their family. Especially when the average student takes more than four years to complete their bachelor鈥檚 degree. The same individual attention students feel in the classroom will be reflected in this program through advisement.鈥�

Incoming freshman will be eligible to join the program beginning in August 2020.聽 The program is voluntary and requires that students sign a Student Participation Agreement.聽 Students agree to actions and behaviors that will help them to graduate, and the College provides them with an academic advisor to keep students on track.聽 For additional information about Finish in 4, visit

 

 

February 14, 2020

Dominican College Earns Military Friendly庐 School Designation

Dominican College has earned the 2020-2021 Military Friendly庐 School designation.

鈥淭he College is proud to support veterans and active duty service members in their efforts to pursue their educational and career goals,鈥� said Brian Fernandes, Vice President for Enrollment Management. 聽鈥淚n addition to veterans鈥� benefit programs, the College also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to further its commitment to veterans. Members of these groups enroll in our bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral programs.鈥�

The Military Friendly庐 Schools list is created each year using public data, input from student veterans, and responses to the Military Friendly庐 Schools survey.

Military Friendly鈥檚 National Director Josh Rosen stated, 鈥淥ur ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to colleges creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to invest in programs to provide educational outcomes that are better for the military community as a whole.鈥�

Final ratings were determined by combining the institution鈥檚 survey scores with the assessment of the institution鈥檚 ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

For more information about Dominican College鈥檚 veterans programs, visit: 聽The 2020-颅2021 Military Friendly庐 Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at .

 

February 11, 2020

Dominican College Earns Military Friendly庐 School Designation

Dominican College has earned the 2020-2021 Military Friendly庐 School designation.

鈥淭he College is proud to support veterans and active duty service members in their efforts to pursue their educational and career goals,鈥� said Brian Fernandes, Vice President for Enrollment Management. 聽鈥淚n addition to veterans鈥� benefit programs, the College also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to further its commitment to veterans. Members of these groups enroll in our bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral programs.鈥�

The Military Friendly庐 Schools list is created each year using public data, input from student veterans, and responses to the Military Friendly庐 Schools survey.

Military Friendly鈥檚 National Director Josh Rosen stated, 鈥淥ur ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to colleges creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to invest in programs to provide educational outcomes that are better for the military community as a whole.鈥�

Final ratings were determined by combining the institution鈥檚 survey scores with the assessment of the institution鈥檚 ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

For more information about Dominican College鈥檚 veterans programs, visit: 聽The 2020-颅2021 Military Friendly庐 Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at .

 

February 11, 2020

Sam Fratto Named Dominican College’s 2020 Person of the Year

Dominican College and its Board of Trustees have named Sam Fratto as Dominican College鈥檚 2020 Person of the Year. Fratto will be honored at the 48th Annual Grand Reception on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the Old Tappan Manor in Old Tappan, NJ.

鈥淲e are pleased to announce that Sam Fratto, the Business Manager of IBEW Local 363 has been selected the Dominican College Person of the Year,鈥� said College President Sr. Mary Eileen O鈥橞rien. 鈥淪am was chosen for his outstanding professional leadership, his community involvement, and his philanthropic works.鈥�

In 2011, Fratto was appointed Business Manager of Local 363 by the Executive Board. He has since been elected by the membership three times. 聽His appointment as Business Manager of Local 363 came 33 years after first joining the electrical trade as an apprentice with IBEW Local 631. Fratto steadily advanced in his career, holding various foreman and shop steward positions.聽 In 1986, he was elected to the IBEW Local 631 Executive Board.

Fratto was appointed as Assistant Business Manager for the union in 1987 and in 1992 was elected Business Manager of IBEW Local 631. Two years later, the international office decided to merge all three locals into a bigger and stronger IBEW Local 363 that would cover the entire Hudson Valley. Fratto served as an Assistant Business Manager and Senior Assistant Business Manager at the newly merged Local 363 until beginning his current position.

Under Fratto鈥檚 leadership, Local 363 has supported many community organizations, included the Boy Scouts, United Way, United Hospice, Child Care Resources of Rockland, Helen Hayes Hospital, and Jawonio.聽 He has been recognized nationally by the IBEW for his work within his local union and the Hudson Valley.聽 In addition, he has been honored by the Rockland Business Association, Good Samaritan Hospital, and the Hudson Valley Labor Federation.

Tickets to the Grand Reception honoring Fratto can be purchased at dc.edu/grandreception2020. 聽聽For additional information, please contact Mary Lichtman at 845-848-7406 or mary.lichtman@duny.edu.

February 10, 2020

Sam Fratto Named Dominican College’s 2020 Person of the Year

Dominican College and its Board of Trustees have named Sam Fratto as Dominican College鈥檚 2020 Person of the Year. Fratto will be honored at the 48th Annual Grand Reception on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the Old Tappan Manor in Old Tappan, NJ.

鈥淲e are pleased to announce that Sam Fratto, the Business Manager of IBEW Local 363 has been selected the Dominican College Person of the Year,鈥� said College President Sr. Mary Eileen O鈥橞rien. 鈥淪am was chosen for his outstanding professional leadership, his community involvement, and his philanthropic works.鈥�

In 2011, Fratto was appointed Business Manager of Local 363 by the Executive Board. He has since been elected by the membership three times. 聽His appointment as Business Manager of Local 363 came 33 years after first joining the electrical trade as an apprentice with IBEW Local 631. Fratto steadily advanced in his career, holding various foreman and shop steward positions.聽 In 1986, he was elected to the IBEW Local 631 Executive Board.

Fratto was appointed as Assistant Business Manager for the union in 1987 and in 1992 was elected Business Manager of IBEW Local 631. Two years later, the international office decided to merge all three locals into a bigger and stronger IBEW Local 363 that would cover the entire Hudson Valley. Fratto served as an Assistant Business Manager and Senior Assistant Business Manager at the newly merged Local 363 until beginning his current position.

Under Fratto鈥檚 leadership, Local 363 has supported many community organizations, included the Boy Scouts, United Way, United Hospice, Child Care Resources of Rockland, Helen Hayes Hospital, and Jawonio.聽 He has been recognized nationally by the IBEW for his work within his local union and the Hudson Valley.聽 In addition, he has been honored by the Rockland Business Association, Good Samaritan Hospital, and the Hudson Valley Labor Federation.

Tickets to the Grand Reception honoring Fratto can be purchased at dc.edu/grandreception2020. 聽聽For additional information, please contact Mary Lichtman at 845-848-7406 or mary.lichtman@duny.edu.

February 10, 2020