Dominican University Student Awarded Prestigious Research Stipend
Marlon Valverde-Suazo has been awarded a $5,000 research stipend, funded by the National Science Foundation.
A senior Information Technology (IT) student from Dominican University is one of just 100 students nationwide to receive a prestigious research stipend funded by the National Science Foundation. Marlon Valverde-Suazo was awarded a $5,000 research stipend to participate in The National Data Mine Network. The goal is to ensure that students at Minority Serving Institutions have access to cutting edge courses, research opportunities, and industry partnerships. Purdue University established The Data Mine, to teach data science to undergraduates from all majors.
Valverde-Suazo has access to data science training materials, materials, and high-performance computing from Purdue University. In addition, there are corporate partners who enable the students to learn data science with hands-on work. Valverde-Suazo has been working with Bayer. He meets remotely with his partners and peers for several hours each week. “They have lessons and programs in which you learn all the coding language you need for the project,” he said.
Valverde-Suazo hopes that this all leads to even bigger things in his future. “I plan on trying to work at NASA or an aerospace or astronomy facility and this is one of the biggest steps to head me toward my goal,” he said. Jovan Zigic, Instructor of Mathematics and Physics, suggested Valverde-Suazo apply for the stipend because of his talent and passion for programming and software development.
November 9, 2022
Students Learn Life Lessons from Former NBA Executive at Basketball Tip-Off Dinner
The Dominican University men’s and women’s basketball team’s with Tip-Off Dinner speaker Kevin Carr and Trustees Michael McLaughlin and Joe Charles
A former NBA executive was the special guest speaker at the 2022-2023 Dominican University NY Basketball Tip-off Dinner. Kevin Carr, a former NBA Vice President and the Founder and CEO of PRO2CEO LLC, shared the lessons he has learned throughout his life with the men’s and women’s basketball teams. He was an engaging speaker who held the student’s attention by often yelling out questions to the students and making them repeat the answers.
Carr explained that he grew up in the projects and his parents had a total of 10 marriages among them. His mom dreamed of a better life and moved the children to Florida so that she could work at Disney. She successfully built a career for herself there and insisted that Carr read and studied. Carr’s brother became a college football player, but unfortunately did not have a back-up plan when he was injured, so he dropped out of school. Carr regrets that his brother didn’t get the help that he needed.
“What am I saying to you as young student-athletes? Ask for help if you are struggling,” said Carr. “Talk to your parents, talk to the counselors, talk to the support office, wherever it is, if you have a problem while you are in school.”
Carr encouraged the students not to go to school to play ball, but to go to school to graduate, and stressed that talent is not enough. By staying focused, and keeping out of trouble, Carr eventually became a successful NBA executive. However, he later decided to create a new company PRO2CEO so that he could work out of his home and have more time for his family. PRO2CEO is a is a career transition and business development consulting firm.
The message to the student-athletes was that there are many ways to be successful in life. “It’s amazing to be an NBA player, but it’s also amazing to be an awesome Dad and awesome son, to be an awesome best friend,” said Carr.
The Tip-Off Dinner was held at the Pearl River Saloon on November 3, 2022 and is an annual tradition to celebrate the beginning of the basketball season.
November 4, 2022
Dominican University New York Steps Up Commitment to Esports Program
The above photo depicts the anticipated design of Dominican University New York’s new Esports Arena.
Dominican University New York is stepping up its commitment to competitive gaming on campus with the construction of a new, state-of-the-art Esports Lounge and Gaming Center. The Esports Center will be equipped with more than 24 PC stations, a streaming room, digital media stations, and a broadcasting suite.
The University first entered the world of competitive gaming in spring of 2022, through a partnership with TeamMETA, a full–service esports management and development company. “As a TeamMETA–represented school, we not only teach and inspire, but we give schools access to play against some of the most well-known teams in the country,” said Christopher Leonard, owner of TeamMETA. “We are excited to help build something really special at Dominican.”
The Esports Center will also include a practice area, as shown in the rendering above.
Dominican University Senior and Esports President DeAntae McFarlane said that the first season of esports at DU was a big success, “We have teams currently competing in Smash, Call of Duty, and Rocket League with more games to be added soon. It was so exciting to have key wins in our first season against D1 Baylor University and Florida Atlantic.”
The esports program uses a team of coaches to provide the esports athletes with a rigorous training schedule and help them become better players. Each week, students learn a new skill based on their games of choice and skill levels. Non-competitive gamers who just want to play for fun are also welcome to join the esports program.
Construction of the new Esports Center is expected to start in spring of 2023 and be completed by next fall.
Prospective students interested in learning more about the program should fill out this questionnaire.
October 18, 2022
49th Annual Grand Reception Honorees Selected for Leadership & Community Involvement
The Grand Reception honorees were on campus to meet with students and to look over plans for the future of the university with President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien.
Dominican University New York will honor Alan Seidman, Executive Director, Construction Contractors Association (CCA) of the Hudson Valley, and the Beckerle Family of Beckerle Lumber Supply Co. at the 49th Annual Grand Reception. The event takes place on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. at the Old Tappan Manor in Tappan, NJ.
The honorees were chosen for their outstanding professional leadership, community involvement, and philanthropic works.
Seidman is Executive Director of the CCA of the Hudson Valley, as well as the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Association of Southeastern NY. As a lifelong Hudson Valley resident, he has been involved in many community activities. He is a past Chair of the Orange County Legislature and Past President of Temple Beth Jacob in Newburgh. He was also officer of the Cornwall Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Highland Engine Co #1, and a first responder with American Red Cross on 9-11.
The Beckerle Family operates four branches of Beckerle Lumber Supply Co. – in Spring Valley, Congers, Orangeburg, and Haverstraw – more than any other building materials supplier in Rockland County. Over the past 80 years, the family has built a successful business by providing quality products, knowledgeable advice, and attentive services. Through three generations of Beckerle leadership, the family has been involved in the community with a legacy of service and philanthropy. As just one example, company owners and employees have volunteered for Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years.
Dominican University New York invites all community members to join the University in celebrating the honorees and thanking them for their service. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at www.duny.edu/grandreception2022 For more information, contact specialevents@duny.edu or call 845-848-7406.
October 7, 2022
University Celebrates Its 70th Anniversary
President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien and Chancellor Sr. Kathleen Sullivan at Dominican University New York’s 70th Anniversary celebration.
Just months after being elevated to the status of a university, Dominican University New York reached another important milestone – its 70th anniversary. Administrators, faculty, staff, and friends of the university gathered in the Lawrence Room of Rosary Hall on October 1, 2022, for an event “Celebrating Our First 70 Years of Excellence.”
One of the highlights of the event was a video presentation that reviewed the last 70 years of the University’s history beginning with the founding of the institution by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt in 1952 as a two-year college for religious women to become educators. Over the years, the campus expanded to accommodate a growing enrollment and to welcome resident students.
Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien O.P., Ph.D., President, Dominican University New York, said, “The first 70 years have been most productive. We look forward to the next 70 and beyond.”
Among the guests at the anniversary celebration was New York State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, who presented Sr. Mary Eileen with a proclamation honoring the University on 70 years of outstanding educational services in the community. “To see a county, a state, and really a world full of people that have gone through this special place – who have gotten their educational foundation, their religious foundation, and set them up for a life of success,” he said.
New Fundraising Campaign Launched
Steven Sabatini, Chair, Dominican University New York Board of Trustees, said the University had a lot to be proud of, having educated more than 15,000 alumni and encouraged education, leadership, respect for the individual, and service to the community.
During the event, Sabatini announced the launch of a new fundraising campaign. “’Charging Forward With U’ is our current initiative focused on raising support from our alumni and friends so that we can ensure that both the current and future generations of Chargers are supported with the resources they need in order to prepare for success.” He said any donation – large or small – makes a difference and moves the University closer to this year’s fundraising goal of $1.35 million. Sabatini announced that he and his wife are kicking off the contributions with a $25,000 commitment on top of a previous gift to the turf field and a provision in his will to Dominican University.
Because of the urgency and importance of the fundraising effort, Sabatini said he hoped others would support the campaign, “Together we can continue to make a difference in the lives of the thousands of individuals who have and will be impacted by Dominican University.” Those wishing to contribute to the campaign can donate here.
University’s Four Stages of Development
Sr. Mary Eileen told attendees that she has often thought of the University’s history in four stages of development. During the first 15 years, the institution transitioned from a Junior College for the Dominican Sisters to a four-year independent liberal arts college for both men and women. The second phase, which lasted 20 years, saw the broadening of undergraduate offerings, especially in business, health-related programs, and social work. The institution began outreach to non-traditional students with the establishment of the Weekend College. A partnership with the South Orangetown Central School District allowed for the use of Cooke Hall and Casey Hall for classrooms and administrative offices.
Between 1987 and 2007, or the third phase, the campus expanded with the construction of new buildings and evolved from a commuter college to a campus for residents and commuters. In 1994, a new athletic facility, the Hennessy Center, was opened. The next priority was to provide on-campus housing and to construct a dining hall and student center for the new residents. In 1996, Hertel Hall, a 290-bed residence hall, and Granito Center, a student center and dining hall opened.
In 2005, the Prusmack Center for Health and Science Education was completed, offering updated classrooms, laboratories, and a lecture hall. Enrollment continued to grow throughout this period and in 2007 Guzman Hall, a 200-bed student residence, was constructed. Sullivan Library also opened in its new location in Rosary Hall in 2007. The third phase also is when Dominican established graduate programs in Teacher Education, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and an MBA.
Sr. Mary Eileen said that we are now 15 years into the development of a fourth phase of development in which technology has grown, the lease/purchase of an additional 17 acres of land from the Sisters of Blauvelt was completed, and a Master Plan for the use of this property was developed. During this most recent phase, there has been a focus on career development and fostering internships. Faculty are developing new general education curriculum and the University is exploring alternative sources of income. The crowning achievement during the current phase, has been the name change from Dominican College to Dominican University, New York.
October 5, 2022
DU Offers Early Admission Pathway to Saint Elizabeth University PA Program
Physician assistant students working in the Saint Elizabeth University Simulation Lab.
Dominican University New York and Saint Elizabeth University (SEU), in Morristown, N.J., today announced an agreement to offer a new pathway to becoming a physician assistant. Under the agreement, up to three eligible Dominican University students will be interviewed during their junior year for early admission decision into SEU’s M.S. in Physician Assistant program.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students who wish to become physician assistants to receive early admission into a well-respected master’s program,” said Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D., president, Dominican University New York. “Dominican University has built an impressive reputation in the health fields and this new program will provide additional professional opportunities for our students.”
“We are very excited to work with Dominican University as SEU’s mission of providing a high-quality education to students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and cultures is an excellent fit with that of Dominican University,” said Anne Clark Bartlett, Ph.D., provost and vice president for the Division of Academic Affairs and Student Life at SEU. “We look forward to welcoming our first Dominican University students to the program.”
Students planning to apply for acceptance into the 28-month-long SEU physician assistant program will receive advisement throughout their undergraduate study at Dominican University to ensure that they complete the prerequisite courses and meet the qualifications to enter the program. In order to be interviewed for the program in their junior year, students must have a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.4 and a cumulative GPA of 3.2, and be on track to complete all of the required prerequisite courses with a B or better. Candidates also must meet the following requirements by March of their senior year:
Complete a minimum of 300 direct patient care hours
Complete a minimum of 16 physician assistant shadow hours
Complete a minimum of 50 community service hours
Complete a Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistant (CASPA) application
Submit scores for the Physician Assistant College Admissions Test (PA-CAT).
Submit three recommendations including one from a professor and one from a physician or physician assistant.
Under the new agreement, the first Dominican University students will be interviewed for conditional admission to the SEU Physician Assistant program in February 2023. Visit SEU’s M.S. in Physician Assistant page for more information on the program.
September 26, 2022
DU Community Packages 10,000 Meals for Hungry
Students worked on assembly lines on September 23, 2022, to package 10,000 meals for the hungry.
Students, faculty, and staff from Dominican University New York volunteered to package meals for the hungry during the Preaching in Action service project as part of Founders Week. About 100 volunteers worked with the Outreach Program to package tasty, nutritious meals of rice and beans and apple-cinnamon oatmeal. The meals will be distributed locally to families in need.
Ted Swartwood, The Outreach Program Regional Manager in NY in NJ, said the nonprofit was unable to use large gatherings of volunteers during COVID. “We can’t catch up with the demand,” said Swartwood. “I told these kids they should all be proud of themselves for making the effort to come here. They are making a difference.”
The volunteers packaged the meals on assembly lines set up in the Lawrence Room of Rosary Hall on September 23, 2002. The mission of the Outreach Program is to provide safe water, food, medical care, and education to those in need, at home and abroad.
September 23, 2022
Winners of the 2022 Spirit of the Founders Award Announced
The 2022 Spirit of the Founders Award was presented to students Gee Salim and Elena Vilanvoa.
The 2022 Spirit of the Founders Award was presented to students Gee Salim and Elena Vilanova during a ceremony in the Lawrence Room on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. The event was one of the highlights of the weeklong celebration of Founders Week.
The Spirit of the Founders Award recognizes the contributions of student leaders who hold the promise of carrying the Dominican spirit into the future. Salim said he was honored to receive the award and admitted that it can be difficult to juggle school and activities when you are an involved student. “It’s good to see that what we do matters. We want to do what is best for Dominican University,” he said. Salim is from Brazil and has served as President of the International Students Association for two years. He is also a member of the men’s tennis team, a Resident Assistant, and the Senior Class Representative for the Student Government Association.
Vilanova said being involved in student activities has been an incredible experience. “I’m so proud to be able to be involved on campus and have the opportunity to take on such great leadership roles,” she said. “I wouldn’t change it for the world.” Vilanova has served as President of the Student Government Association for two years and President of Alpha Lamba Delta, the Freshman Honor Society. She also was a Peer Mentor.
Both honorees thanked President Sr. Mary Eileen, O.P, Ph.D., and Chancellor Sr. Kathleen Sullivan, O.P., for all they do for the university.
September 21, 2022
Founders Week Keynote Focuses on Friendships Among Saints
Sr. Jenn Shaaf delivered the keynote address for Founders Week 2022. She is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt and the Assistant Chaplain of St. Thomas More Chapel & Center at Yale University in New Haven, CT.
The deep friendships among Dominican saints throughout history were the focus of the keynote address for Founders Week 2022. Sr. Jenn Shaaf, O.P., D.Min., spoke about “Holy Friendships and Academic Mentors” as Founders Week got underway on Monday, September 19, 2022, in the Lawrence Room of Rosary Hall. Sr. Jenn paused throughout her presentation to give students in the audience time to discuss parallel relationships in their lives and to reflect on how the historical examples could lead them to look at contemporary issues in a new light.
Sr. Jenn stressed that the Dominican pillars of study, prayer, and service were lived out by these saints. “Possibly, most importantly, we see that they are able to live out their calling through their community — the support of mentors, the leaning on each other and recognizing that gift of friendship, the humble calling for justice, the dreamers and the artists who are encouraged by their communities, and the leaders who are called forth,“ she said.
Sr. Jenn is the Assistant Chaplain of St. Thomas More Chapel & Center at Yale University in New Haven, CT, and a member of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt. Founders Week is the annual celebration of Dominican University New York’s heritage and the Dominican Sisters who established it. Activities include guest lectures, a preaching in action project, and the presentation of the Spirit of the Founders Award to two deserving students.
September 19, 2022
Palisades Institute Forum Features Five Town Supervisors
All five of Rockland’s Town Supervisors, George Hoehmann of Clarkstown, Howard Phillips of Haverstraw, Teresa Kenny of Orangetown, Michael Specht of Ramapo, and James Monaghan of Stony Point took part in a Palisades Institute forum.
Rockland County’s five Town Supervisors discussed a wide range of topics of interest to business leaders during a Palisades Institute forum. The top town leaders discussed housing, transportation, taxes, the economy, recycling, and much more at the forum on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in Rosary Hall.
Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann used a discussion on sustainability to tout the fact that Clarkstown is the only municipality in the Lower Hudson Valley to have a large-scale solar field. In addition, he said more solar projects are in the works. “When we finish up these couple of additional projects in the next year to a year and a half, we will be the first town in New York State to take ourselves off of the grid,” said Hoehmann.
Other Town Supervisors who participated in the forum were Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard Phillips, Orangetown Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny, Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht, and Stony Point Town Supervisor James Monaghan.
The aim of the Palisades Institute of Dominican University, NY is to encourage leaders in business, government, and not-for-profit agencies to integrate the concepts of leadership, quality, and ethics to achieve long-term success.
September 14, 2022
Dominican University NY Ranked a Top Performer on Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report ranked Dominican University New York a Top Performer on Social Mobility on its 2022-2023 Best Colleges list. Dominican College was ranked in the top 14% for social mobility among national universities. Top performers in this category are more successful than other institutions at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of students awarded Pell Grants.
Dominican University has always welcomed students of diverse economic backgrounds and first generation students, while promoting educational excellence, leadership, and service throughout the university community. In addition, the University has been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and Military Friendly.
This is the third time that the institution has been recognized for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report. However, it is the first time that Dominican is considered a national university in the rankings, since becoming Dominican University New York in May 2022.
September 12, 2022
National Science Foundation Awards University $1.5 Million Grant for Stem Scholarships
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Dominican University New York a $1.5 million, six-year grant to launch a new program that supports high-achieving, low-income STEM students.
The majority of the NSF grant funds will be used to provide 4-year scholarships of up to $10,000 per year to 26 biology students. The first scholarships will be awarded to incoming freshman in fall 2023 as part of the BLAST (Biology for Low-income Aspiring Scholars in Training) Program.
AnnMarie DelliPizzi, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, said that BLAST Program aims to increase student retention and success by linking scholarships with co-curricular activities, including academic support, mentoring, and undergraduate research. The BLAST students will meet with visiting scholars from other universities or industry to be exposed to different career paths.
“Low-income students often have to work multiple jobs to pay for school, and this frequently interferes with successfully completing their degrees,” said Regina Alvarez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology. “The scholarships provided by the grant will help to alleviate this burden, allowing students more time to focus on academics.”
Elena Guevara, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, said, “In addition to the scholarships that the students receive, other support includes things such as travel to a scientific conference during freshman year, funds for their senior capstone projects, trips to visit faculty at research-intensive universities, and more.”
Dominican University New York has been designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution and the BLAST program has the potential to increase the diversity of the STEM workforce. The goal of the grant is for students to remain in school, graduate, and either secure employment in a STEM field or enter graduate school.
The NSF grant received is a Track 2 S-STEM grant (Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics grant), award #2221106. In 2015, Dominican received a $590,000 Track 1 grant from the NSF to provide scholarships and support to students. This new grant builds on the success of that initial grant, submitted by Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., Professor of Biology. Institutions of higher education must have received a Track 1 grant in order to be eligible to apply for a Track 2 grant.
Dominican University New York biology faculty worked together to prepare and submit the NSF grant application and stress that their teamwork was critical to the success of the application.
