Dominican College Celebrates 25 Years of Campus Development

Dominican College celebrated 25 years of campus development at the 47th Annual Grand Reception on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at The View in Piermont, NY.

During the Grand Reception, special recognition was given to a number of individuals who have been instrumental in the College鈥檚 growth including: 聽Ross Pepe, Jack Holt, Pat Diccianni, Nick Badami (posthumously), Jim Granito,聽 Pat Aguanno,聽 Joe Corless,聽 Jim Hennessy, Pat Miele,聽 Karim Abood, Jon Prusmack (posthumously), and Patti Prusmack.

鈥�Each of these individuals played a key role in the development of the campus and the construction of new buildings. We are grateful for their wisdom, hard work, and generosity in helping us to develop the campus over the past quarter century,鈥� said Sr. Mary Eileen O鈥橞rien, O.P., Ph.D., College President.

At the event, it was announced that a brass plaque giving special recognition to the individuals was affixed to a large rock in front of the Hennessy Center.

Dominican College has undergone tremendous growth since 1994 when the College opened the Hennessy Center, the main athletic facility on campus.聽 In 1996, Hertel Hall, a 290-bed student residence opened, along with the Granito Center, a student center and dining hall. Four years later, the second floor of the Granito Center was completed, containing the Badami Board Room, the Health Center, and the College Bookstore.聽 In 2005, the Prusmack Center for Health and Science Education was completed to offer updated classrooms, laboratories, and a lecture hall.聽聽 Guzman Hall, a 200-bed student residence, was constructed and opened in 2007.聽 Most recently, in 2017, the Hennessy Center expansion was completed, with a new gymnasium and fitness center.

 

 

June 12, 2019

Dominican College Celebrates 25 Years of Campus Development

Dominican College celebrated 25 years of campus development at the 47th Annual Grand Reception on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at The View in Piermont, NY.

During the Grand Reception, special recognition was given to a number of individuals who have been instrumental in the College鈥檚 growth including: 聽Ross Pepe, Jack Holt, Pat Diccianni, Nick Badami (posthumously), Jim Granito,聽 Pat Aguanno,聽 Joe Corless,聽 Jim Hennessy, Pat Miele,聽 Karim Abood, Jon Prusmack (posthumously), and Patti Prusmack.

鈥�Each of these individuals played a key role in the development of the campus and the construction of new buildings. We are grateful for their wisdom, hard work, and generosity in helping us to develop the campus over the past quarter century,鈥� said Sr. Mary Eileen O鈥橞rien, O.P., Ph.D., College President.

At the event, it was announced that a brass plaque giving special recognition to the individuals was affixed to a large rock in front of the Hennessy Center.

Dominican College has undergone tremendous growth since 1994 when the College opened the Hennessy Center, the main athletic facility on campus.聽 In 1996, Hertel Hall, a 290-bed student residence opened, along with the Granito Center, a student center and dining hall. Four years later, the second floor of the Granito Center was completed, containing the Badami Board Room, the Health Center, and the College Bookstore.聽 In 2005, the Prusmack Center for Health and Science Education was completed to offer updated classrooms, laboratories, and a lecture hall.聽聽 Guzman Hall, a 200-bed student residence, was constructed and opened in 2007.聽 Most recently, in 2017, the Hennessy Center expansion was completed, with a new gymnasium and fitness center.

 

 

June 12, 2019

Cardinal Dolan Delivers Commencement Address

Timothy Cardinal Dolan delivered the Commencement Address at Dominican College’s Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 19, 2019.

There was a heightened excitement and anticipation leading up to Dominican College鈥檚 65th Commencement Exercises because His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, was delivering the Commencement Address.聽 The charismatic Cardinal Dolan received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humanities, during the ceremony on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. 鈥淲hat an honor, what a joy, to receive this degree,鈥� he said.

The honor was bestowed upon Cardinal Dolan in recognition of a life dedicated to service of the poor, education of the mind, and care of the soul.

After receiving the honorary degree, Cardinal Dolan addressed the Class of 2019.聽 鈥淚 sense a special bond with all of you, because I, too, 聽relish the education I received from Dominicans 鈥� in my case, four years of theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.鈥�

He added, 鈥淭he intellectual wattage of the daughters and sons of St. Dominic is a most radiant jewel in the crown of Mother Church and western civilization.鈥�

Cardinal Dolan told the graduates that although Commencement speakers typically give words of wisdom and impart wise counsel, he was inspired by them.聽 He called the graduates his 鈥減rofessors鈥� and said they taught him five important lessons.

The first lesson he said he learned was the importance of education. 鈥淵ou chose school. You chose learning.聽 You chose education.聽 You chose college and I thank you for that.聽 God鈥檚 most profound natural gift to us is our mind,鈥� he said.

Cardinal Dolan said it was also clear that the graduates cherish community and that they appreciate tradition.聽 In addition, he said they reminded him that life has purpose and meaning.聽 Finally, said Cardinal Dolan, 鈥淵ou are letting us know in a very jubilant way that all we get is intended to be given away.聽 I watch you in admiration, chafing to get going, to put your learning to good use, to move on, to get to work.鈥�

A total of 573 students graduated 鈥� 105 with doctoral degrees, 64 with master鈥檚 degrees, 402 with bachelor鈥檚 degrees and two with associate degrees.

President Sr. Mary Eileen O鈥橞rien, O.P., Ph.D. told the graduates to receive their diplomas with a sense of pride in their accomplishment.聽 鈥淏e proud of your Alma Mater, as we are of you.聽 Remember, once a Charger, always a Charger!聽 Dominican College will ultimately measure its effectiveness, not by the degrees of its faculty or the size of its campus, although we treasure both, but rather by the competence and compassion, the vision and generosity of its over 15,000 graduates.聽 How greatly the world needs your joyful and hope-filled lives,鈥� she said.

In addition to Cardinal Dolan, several other individuals were honored during the Commencement Exercises.

  • John E. Sorrentino, retired Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Pfizer in Pearl River, NY, received an honorary degree, Doctor of Science, in recognition of his outstanding work in the development of life-enhancing vaccines. He also led Pfizer鈥檚 corporate citizenship efforts and was helpful in upgrading the College鈥檚 biology and chemistry laboratories in Forkel Hall.
  • Ronald Israelski, a hand/micro vascular surgeon, is currently Director of Medical Education at Orange Regional Medical Center and received the Veritas Medal. Dr. Israelski has done extensive relief and charity work in Haiti, working tirelessly to improve medical delivery to the people of Port-au-Prince. He has also improved medical services to the uninsured in Sullivan County and New York City.
  • Abdul Sulaiman Jr, 鈥�09, received the Badami Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. In 2013, Abdul founded a company called Project Pawn to mentor children through the game of chess.

    May 24, 2019

    Senior Class Gift Unveiled

    Members of the Senior Gift Committee unveiled the 2019 Senior Class Gift, a new entrance sign to the College, on the eve of their Commencement.

    A beautiful new sign at the campus entrance was unveiled on Saturday, May 18, 2019. 聽The sign, which features the College logo in raised letters on a bright red background, was a gift from the Class of 2019.

    The Senior Class Gift has become an annual tradition at Dominican College and is a way for graduating seniors to show their appreciation to the College. 鈥淓ach senior class leaves a legacy at the College,鈥� said Sal Pennino, Sr. Advancement Officer, who advised the student members of the Senior Gift Committee. 鈥淭he students also learn about giving back to the College, which is important because the College relies upon the generosity and involvement of its alumni.鈥�

    Past senior gifts include the Charlie the Charger statue, the Hennessy Center flag pole, the Alumni Book of Remembrance, the Student Life Wall Mural in the Granito Center, and the Flame Art Sculpture.

    The members of the 2019 Senior Gift Committee were Autumn Rogers-Vazquez, Bryanna Pimienta, Byany Vasquez, Christine Ditzel, Cliona Smith, Courtney Sakosits, Jovana Jones, Julissa Jones, Kelvin Rosario, and Stephanie Denis.

     

    May 19, 2019

    Broadway Concert at Convent Chapel to Raise Funds for Jackson DiDona

    Jackson DiDona has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer. A concert on Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m. will raise money to help pay for his medical treatment.

    Broadway and off-Broadway performers will be singing show tunes during a special concert on Monday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Convent Chapel on Western Highway. Tickets will be sold at the door for a suggested donation of $20.聽 All money raised from the event will benefit 5-year-old Jackson DiDona, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer.

    Jackson鈥檚 father is Greg DiDona, the Assistant Director of the Academic Success Center, and his grandmother is Nancy DiDona, Director of Nursing.聽 The Dominican College Community is supporting the DiDona family as they pray for a miracle for Jackson who has been diagnosed with DIPG, or聽diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a type of brain tumor found in an area of the brainstem.聽 The treatments are very costly and a number of fundraisers are taking place to help the family pay for Jackson鈥檚 medical care.

    During the concert, performers will be singing songs from Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line, Man of La Mancha, Camelot, My Fair Lady, and many other favorites.聽 The concert was organized by Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy Michael Pizzi, who will be performing with his friends. When he is not teaching, Professor Pizzi is busy producing charity cabaret concerts, musical revues, and creating classes and Broadway camps for children with special needs.

    Parking for the concert will be at the main Dominican College parking lot at 480 Western Highway, Orangeburg, NY.聽 For additional information about Jackson and to learn more about how you can help, visit dc.edu/jacksonstrong/.

    May 14, 2019

    Students Present Research During Psychology Conference

    Psychology students and professors pictured above participated in the Hudson Valley Undergraduate Psychology Conference .

    Students in the Senior Seminar in Psychology class presented their Senior Research Projects during the Hudson Valley Undergraduate Psychology Conference on May 3, 2019, in the Prusmack Center.

    Coordinator of Psychology Dr. Kelly Johnson said the students each gave a 15-minute “paper talk” or presentation.聽 鈥淧ublic presentations like this help students hone their presentation skills, as well as increase interest in a potentially new topic with people in and outside of Psychology.聽 Sharing findings in this way is how we develop the field of Psychology,鈥� she said.

    Dr. Johnson said the professors primarily evaluated the students on the following: how well the reviewed literature supports their hypothesis; the soundness of the research design; the clarity and accuracy of the results; and the quality of the conclusions. The students were also judged on the quality of their presentation style.

    May 5, 2019

    College Hosts Regional History Conference

    Dr. Michael Decker, Executive Director of Phi Alpha Theta, (left) with History Professor Christoper Libertini, at the Phi Alpha Theta New York-New Jersey Regional Undergraduate History Conference.

    Dominican College hosted the Phi Alpha Theta New York-New Jersey Regional Undergraduate History Conference on Saturday, April 27, 2019 in the Prusmack Center.聽 Phi Alpha Theta is a national history honor society.

    The conference attracted students from eight area colleges and universities to present their papers.聽 In addition to the three Dominican College presenters, there was also participation of students from 聽Adelphi University, Georgian Court University, Marist College, Mercy College, SUNY-Albany, SUNY-New Paltz, SUNY-Plattsburgh, and West Point.

    鈥淎n event like this is a great reminder that the liberal arts–and history in particular–are still very popular among students.聽 It was truly gratifying to see so many students overflowing with passion to share their historical research and to listen to the research of other undergraduates,鈥� said History Professor Christopher Libertini. 鈥淒ominican College proved to be an ideal venue to host such an event with its central location to so many area colleges and universities and its proximity to some of New York’s important historical sites dating back to colonial times.鈥�

    Students at the conference heard from keynote speaker Dr. Michael Decker, Executive Director of Phi Alpha Theta. 聽Preceding the conference, there was a free walking tour of Old Tappan.

    April 29, 2019

    Dominican College Launches Effort to Become a Tobacco-Free Campus

    Students Gianluca Barecchia and Ashley Sainvil recently attended a Truth Initiative Conference in Crystal City, VA.

    Dominican College has joined a national movement to address smoking and tobacco use at college campuses. The College will receive funds and technical support from Truth Initiative庐, the nation鈥檚 largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to making tobacco use a thing of the past.

    鈥淒ominican College is committed to making our environment safer, healthier, and more productive,鈥� said Director of Student Health and Project Leader Lynda Chesterman. 鈥淪tudents, faculty, staff, and administrators will be asked to support the adoption of a 100 percent tobacco-free or smoke-free policy.鈥�

    Co-leader Jenna Tacinelli Hach, Clinical Education Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Athletic Training, added, 鈥淭obacco use remains the number one cause of preventable death in this country.聽 In addition, secondhand smoke exposure causes cancer and cardiopulmonary diseases.鈥�

    Dominican College has formed a Taskforce for a Tobacco-Free Campus to assess tobacco use, identify a treatment plan for current smokers, and draft a smoke-free or tobacco-free policy. Two students on the task force will develop and lead educational efforts among students. The policy ultimately must be approved by the President鈥檚 cabinet before being enacted.

    鈥淲ith 99 percent of smokers starting before age 26, college campuses are critical platforms for preventing young adults from starting tobacco use, aiding those current tobacco users in quitting, and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke for all,鈥� said Robin Koval, CEO and president of Truth Initiative. 鈥淲e are looking forward to supporting Dominican College鈥檚 efforts to make smoking and tobacco use a thing of the past.鈥�

    Background:

    A 100 percent tobacco-free policy prohibits the use of any tobacco product, such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, small cigars, pipes, hookah, smokeless tobacco (otherwise known as dip, chew, snuff, spit and snus) and other smokeless products. It can also include electronic cigarettes. A comprehensive tobacco-free policy could also address tobacco sales, marketing, sponsorship, and investments at colleges. A 100 percent smoke-free policy is one that prohibits the use of smoke-producing tobacco, such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, small cigars, pipes and hookah, as well as e-cigarettes.聽 Both policies apply to anyone on campus and on any campus property. For more information on model campus policies, visit .

    April 17, 2019

    Dominican College Launches Effort to Become a Tobacco-Free Campus

    Students Gianluca Barecchia and Ashley Sainvil recently attended a Truth Initiative Conference in Crystal City, VA.

    Dominican College has joined a national movement to address smoking and tobacco use at college campuses. The College will receive funds and technical support from Truth Initiative庐, the nation鈥檚 largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to making tobacco use a thing of the past.

    鈥淒ominican College is committed to making our environment safer, healthier, and more productive,鈥� said Director of Student Health and Project Leader Lynda Chesterman. 鈥淪tudents, faculty, staff, and administrators will be asked to support the adoption of a 100 percent tobacco-free or smoke-free policy.鈥�

    Co-leader Jenna Tacinelli Hach, Clinical Education Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Athletic Training, added, 鈥淭obacco use remains the number one cause of preventable death in this country.聽 In addition, secondhand smoke exposure causes cancer and cardiopulmonary diseases.鈥�

    Dominican College has formed a Taskforce for a Tobacco-Free Campus to assess tobacco use, identify a treatment plan for current smokers, and draft a smoke-free or tobacco-free policy. Two students on the task force will develop and lead educational efforts among students. The policy ultimately must be approved by the President鈥檚 cabinet before being enacted.

    鈥淲ith 99 percent of smokers starting before age 26, college campuses are critical platforms for preventing young adults from starting tobacco use, aiding those current tobacco users in quitting, and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke for all,鈥� said Robin Koval, CEO and president of Truth Initiative. 鈥淲e are looking forward to supporting Dominican College鈥檚 efforts to make smoking and tobacco use a thing of the past.鈥�

    Background:

    A 100 percent tobacco-free policy prohibits the use of any tobacco product, such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, small cigars, pipes, hookah, smokeless tobacco (otherwise known as dip, chew, snuff, spit and snus) and other smokeless products. It can also include electronic cigarettes. A comprehensive tobacco-free policy could also address tobacco sales, marketing, sponsorship, and investments at colleges. A 100 percent smoke-free policy is one that prohibits the use of smoke-producing tobacco, such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, small cigars, pipes and hookah, as well as e-cigarettes.聽 Both policies apply to anyone on campus and on any campus property. For more information on model campus policies, visit .

    April 17, 2019

    Criminal Justice Graduates Inducted into the Alumni Hall of Achievement

    The new inductees into the Alumni Hall of Achievement are (left to right):聽 Michelle Soto, 鈥�11, for Leadership; Jeremy Arcaro, 鈥�09, for Excellence; and Katie McLaughlin,鈥�16, for Service.

    The Dominican College Criminal Justice Program celebrated its 10-year anniversary on Sunday, April 7, 2019 with the induction of three criminal Justice graduates into the Alumni Hall of Achievement.聽 The new inductees are:聽 Jeremy Arcaro, 鈥�09, for Excellence; Michelle Soto, 鈥�11, for Leadership, and Katie McLaughlin,鈥�16, for Service.聽 A photo of the three inductees will hang in the lobby of the Prusmack Center with the members of the Alumni Hall of Achievement.

    Jeremy Arcaro, 鈥�09, for Excellence

    Jeremy Arcaro was a lacrosse star at Dominican College, playing all four years and scoring the 3rd highest career goals (83) in the program鈥檚 history 鈥� a record he still holds today.聽 He describes himself as a 鈥渢roublesome鈥� student at Dominican College, but credits the College with setting him on the right path.

    鈥淗onestly, what this experience has done for me at Dominican College was not only make me a leader on the [lacrosse] field鈥ut also in my current profession today,鈥� he said.

    For the past three years, Arcaro has worked as a police officer in the New Windsor, NY Police Department.聽 He is an instructor at the Police Chief鈥檚 Association of Orange County Police Academy and a field-training officer for new police officers.聽 As a member of New Windsor鈥檚 Community Policing Unit, he created and delivered a number of anti-bullying presentations at elementary and middle schools.

    Arcaro has received three awards for saving a person鈥檚 life. The most recent incident took place on June 10, 2017 when he performed life-saving CPR and first aid on a person who was unresponsive and not breathing.

    In addition to his police duties, Arcaro is the owner/operator of Laxology and owns the New York Reign Lacrosse Club.聽 Laxology runs lacrosse camps and hosts clinics for players in high school, as well as younger athletes.聽 The aim of the program is to boost a player鈥檚 lacrosse IQ and awareness in a friendly environment to allow the players to successfully compete at the highest levels of lacrosse.

    Michelle Soto, 鈥�11, for Leadership

    Michele Soto is a management consultant and has worked for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Homeland Security. 聽Since graduating from Dominican College, she received a Master of Arts in Criminology, Law and Society from George Mason University.

    Soto founded a nonprofit organization called Letters of Hope (letterofhope.org) which provides handwritten letters of encouragement to individuals experiencing hardships, including residents of homeless shelters, prisoners, and military families. 聽Soto says she has received wonderful feedback from the recipients of the letters.

    The importance of giving to the community was a lesson Soto learned as a student at Dominican College.聽 聽鈥淲hen I first visited Dominican College, it was like a hidden gem.聽 I knew as soon as I visited the College that I had to be part of this community that was so loving,鈥� she said.

    Soto was fully involved in campus life at Dominican College.聽 She was president of the Criminal Justice Club, president of the Debate Team, and president of the senior class.聽 She also volunteered to go on Alternative Spring Break trips to the Dominican Republican and to Gulfport, MS to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

    Soto said Dominican College will always remain dear to her heart.聽 She treasures her Dominican College education and says the criminal justice degree she received launched her career because she was able to secure a position as a background investigator as soon as she graduated.

    Katie McLaughlin, 鈥�16, for Service聽 聽聽聽

    Katie McLaughlin is an enthusiastic ambassador for Dominican College, speaking at admissions events to prospective students about the opportunities she has had since graduation.聽 She often discusses the confidence she gained as a student, which allowed her to thrive in law school and her career.

    鈥淒ominican College definitely gave me the courage and the strength to get through law school, the academic ability to make it and really push through all the hard parts 鈥� especially the bar,鈥� she said.

    McLaughlin transferred to Dominican College and found the sense of community that had been missing at her previous school.聽 She co-chaired the Relay for Life event, was a member of the Criminal Justice Club, and a member of four honor societies 鈥� Alpha Chi, Pi Gamma Mu, Alpha Phi Sigma, and Psi Chi.聽 聽In addition, she served as an admissions student ambassador.

    After graduation, McLaughlin attended Pace University Law School on a full scholarship.聽 At Pace, she was a senior associate with the Pace Law Review, a Pace Criminal Justice Society member and a member of the Women鈥檚 Association of Law Students.聽 McLaughlin received her Juris Doctor in May 2018.聽 She clerked for Essex County, NJ Judge James W. Donohue, after interning with the US Attorney鈥檚 Office, the Rockland County District Attorney鈥檚 Office, and the Hillsdale Police Department.聽 She recently started her dream job of working as a prosecutor.

    April 8, 2019

    College Offers Additional Career Fair for Healthcare Students

    The College held its first Healthcare Career Fair on April 3, 2019 in the Granito Center.

    Students met with company recruiters, applied for jobs and internships, and polished their networking skills at two Career Fairs in April.聽 For the first time, the College held a Healthcare Career Fair to cater to the College’s many healthcare students.聽 The annual Career Fair, which is open to the public, took place on April 2, 2019. The Healthcare Career Fair, which better accommodated students who had clinicals, was held a day later.

    “Our first Healthcare Career Fair was a huge success,”聽 said Internship Coordinator/Career Counselor Rose Macom, MSEd.聽 “Students took advantage of the opportunity to meet and network with healthcare employers.聽 The two hours went by very quickly.聽 Employers gave us excellent feedback and we learned about new externship opportunities for our students.”

    The annual Career Fair also was successful with a 20 percent increase in the number of students who attended.聽 Macom said that recruiters at both events were impressed with how well prepared the students were,聽 based on their resumes and knowledge of the companies.

     

    April 4, 2019

    Director of the Bronx Zoo Speaks at the College

    The Director of the Bronx Zoo, Jim Breheny, spoke at Dominican College about the Zoo’s efforts to nurture聽the regrowth of endangered species and their habitats.

    The Director of the Bronx Zoo, Jim Breheny, spoke at Dominican College as part of the 2019 Honor鈥檚 Lyceum and Science Seminar Series on March 27, 2019.聽 Breheny also serves as Executive Vice President of the Wildlife Conservation Society and is featured in Animal Planet鈥檚 hit docuseries 鈥淭he Zoo.鈥�

    Assistant Professor of Biology Emma C. Sarro, PhD, said Breheny鈥檚 presentation focused on the work that the Bronx Zoo and its collaborators have done to nurture the regrowth of endangered species and their habitats. 聽鈥淛im provided several heart-warming examples of how some of our most precious animals are getting another chance to flourish in their own habitat, due to the research and work by the staff at the Zoo,鈥� said Dr. Sarro. 鈥淥ur students left the seminar with a greater appreciation for the mission of the Zoo and many students stayed after the talk to meet Jim and continue the conversation.鈥�

    Breheny explained that helping endangered species is done partly through the education and awareness that the Zoo brings to its visitors. He said a lot of work is done out in the field and behind the scenes as well.聽 Breheny鈥檚 presentation took place in the Lawrence Room of Casey Hall.

    March 28, 2019