Social Work Professor Wins NYS Champion of Education Award

State Senator Reichlin-Melnick posing with Acquaye-Doyle with Champion of Education Award outside the Spring Valley High School

NYS Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presented Lucinda Acquaye-Doyle with the Champion of Education Award during a ceremony on the grounds of the Spring Valley High School on September 26, 2021.

Lucinda Acquaye-Doyle, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director of the Social Work Program, received a Champion of Education Award from New York State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick.  She was presented with the award on September 26, 2021,  during a ceremony on the grounds of the Spring Valley High School.

Acquaye-Doyle said she was beyond humbled and honored to be among the recipients, “With all of the complexities around the world and the challenges that continuously face our vulnerable and marginalized communities, I do what I do because I feel like in some way, shape, or form, I am preparing the next generation of social work professionals – particularly those that are going to work within your schools, organizations, and agencies – that in some way I am giving back,” she said. “This is my way of helping make the world a better place.”

Acquaye-Doyle also thanked her students for helping her love what she does every day.  The purpose of the Champion of Education Award is to recognize and celebrate outstanding educators throughout the 38th Senate District who have made a difference in our community.  Acquaye-Doyle was one of eight recipients of the award.

September 27, 2021

Founders Week Keynote Presentation Focuses on St. Rose of Lima

Sr. Kathleen McManus, O.P., delivered the keynote presentation during the 2021 Founders Week celebration.

Dominican College students learned about 17th century mystic and prophet St. Rose of Lima during the first event of Founders Week on Monday, September 20, 2021.  In her keynote presentation, Sr. Kathleen McManus, O.P.,  described how St. Rose – known as the little saint of Lima – served the poor and sick and was concerned about the plight of indigenous miners and their families.

Sr. McManus described a mystic as someone who pays attention and told the students that attention is the natural prayer of the soul.  “Who or what is a prophet? Someone who speaks truth and asks for justice in response to what gets their attention,” she said.  “As you go forth from here contemplate this: What gets your attention and what are you going to do about it?  Can you be a daring mystic and prophet of our time?”

Sr. McManus is a Dominican Sister of Blauvelt, NY, and former associate professor of systematic theology at the University of Portland. She has written extensively on Christology, theological anthropology and the theology of suffering. Founders Week is the annual celebration of Dominican College’s heritage and the Dominican Sisters who established it.

September 20, 2021

College Honors Two Business Leaders at 48th Annual Grand Reception

Sam Fratto, Business Manager of IBEW Local 363 (left) and Larry Weiss, President & CEO of Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office will be honored at Dominican College’s 48th Annual Grand Reception

Dominican College will honor two local business leaders — Sam Fratto, Business Manager of IBEW Local 363, and Larry Weiss, President & CEO of Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office as Persons of the Year —  at the 48th Annual Grand Reception. The gala will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at 12:30 p.m.at the Old Tappan Manor in Old Tappan, NJ.

“We are so pleased to announce that this year we have two outstanding honorees who were chosen for their professional leadership, community involvement, and philanthropic works,” said College President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D.

Sam Fratto was appointed Business Manager of Local 363 by the Executive Board in 2011. He has since been elected by the membership three times, twice without opposition. His appointment as Business Manager of Local 363 came 33 years after he first joined the electrical trade as an apprentice with IBEW Local 631, one of three local unions that later merged into a bigger and stronger IBEW Local 363 that covers the entire Hudson Valley.

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

In 1982, Larry Weiss rescued Atlantic Photocopy from bankruptcy and what was a staff of five is now more than 400 strong. Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office is an Office Technology and IT Solutions company providing services to small and mid-sized businesses in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as the Greater Philadelphia area and the Delaware Valley.

Weiss has fostered a spirit of philanthropy at the company and donated his time to many organizations.  He is a board member of the National Kidney Foundation and St. Christopher’s Inc.  He sits on the Advisory Board of Bridges of Rockland County and is an enthusiastic supporter of the Jillian Fund, Englewood Hospital, the Fresh Air Fund, Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, the New Jewish Home, and United Hospice of Rockland County, in addition to other organizations.

Proceeds from the Grand Reception will go toward student scholarships, academic programs, and campus improvements. Tickets can be purchased online at. https://www.duny.edu/events/grandreception2021/ . For additional information, please contact Mary Lichtman at 845-848-7406 or mary.lichtman@duny.edu

September 17, 2021

Dominican College Ranked #21 on Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report ranked Dominican College a Top Performer on Social Mobility on its 2022 Best Colleges list.  Dominican College was ranked #21 out of Regional Universities North for social mobility.  Top performers in this category are more successful than other colleges at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded Pell Grants.

President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D., said, “Dominican College has always welcomed students of diverse economic backgrounds, while promoting educational excellence, leadership, and service among our entire college community.  We are delighted to once again be recognized for successfully supporting and encouraging students to succeed.”

This is the second time that Dominican College was ranked in the top 25 for social mobility on the Best Colleges list.

September 15, 2021

Visiting Scholar Works With Summer Research Students in Biology Lab

visiting scholar with two students working in the biology lab

Biology student Anna Acosta, Professor Li-jun Ma, Ph.D. from University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and student Madison Newman (left to right) working in a laboratory in the Forkel Hall.

World-renowned computational biologist Li-jun Ma, Ph.D. visited Dominican College this summer to work with three biology students on research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).  This follows the year-long sabbatical of Dominican College Biology Professor Bernadette Connors, Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with Dr. Ma.

During the sabbatical, Connors worked with Ma and her team to learn how to analyze genomic data with different sequencing technologies.  The summer research students are developing a manuscript with Connor’s data to hopefully be published in a scientific, peer-reviewed journal.  Ma said the Dominican College students have integrity, intelligence, and are fully committed to the research, “They are so engaging, I would rate them as some of the best students I have ever had. “

The sabbatical and undergraduate research work was funded by a two-year $166,000 NSF grant (award #1950018).  In addition to furthering Connor’s research of microbial communities in the Hudson River Valley freshwater streams, the grant funded new equipment for Dominican College laboratories and provided stipends for the research students.

The biology students taking part in the summer research are Madison Newman ‘22, Anna Acosta ’22, and Darlenys Sanchez ’22.

August 10, 2021

College Holds Free Community Environmental Workshops Funded by O&R

Dominican College is holding free workshops to educate local residents about the environment and to teach them how to become good stewards of our communities.  The workshops are free and are funded through a grant from Orange & Rockland Utilities.

Regina Alvarez, Ph.D.,  Dominican College Assistant Professor of Biology and Instructor at the New York Botanical Garden, said that although many people are concerned about the environment, they often don’t realize how important nature is in cities and suburbs.  Nature, she stresses, is all around us, even in the most urban environments.

“We believe this workshop series will foster community wellness and a sense of connection to the natural environment in Rockland County,” said Alvarez.  “Learning about the world around us and how to care for it locally empowers the community to protect and advocate for the environment within which we all live. “

The workshops will take place at the Prusmack Center, 3 Campus Drive, Blauvelt, NY, on the Dominican College campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.  For more information, or to register for one or more workshops, please email DCWORKSHOPS@duny.edu

The four workshops scheduled are:

  • Introduction to the Biodiversity of Rockland County – Saturday, July 24, 2021  Alvarez will teach participants to recognize the biodiversity around them and to explore the connection between biodiversity and their well-being. 
  • Community Science: The People’s 21st Century Flora – Saturday, August 21, 2021  Daniel Atha, Director of Conservation Outreach, New York Botanical Garden, will discuss EcoFloras of North America.  This innovative model connects people to plant collections, nature, and urban biodiversity, combining existing knowledge from herbaria and libraries with real-time observations of plants and their ecological partners. 
  • The Natural History of Insects – Saturday, September 18, 2021  Ken Chaya, President of the Linnaean Society of New York and Instructor at the New York Botanical Garden, will delve into the world of the creatures that make up 84 percent of the animal kingdom. Participants will learn about the roles insects play in maintaining healthy ecosystems, as well as their fascinating life cycles and complex social systems.
  • The Unseen Universe: Microbial Diversity Under Our Feet – Saturday, October 16, 2021  Bernadette Connors, Ph.D., Dominican College Associate Professor of Biology, will guide participants in exploring the microbes from soil and water using next generation computational technologies.  Participants will also learn about the connection of microbes to environmental and public health.

The workshops are open to interested community members, local teachers, college students, and high school students.

July 19, 2021

Dominican College Teams Up with RCC to Help Students Earn Bachelor’s Degree

A modern technology center with many windows.

Dominican College and Rockland Community College (RCC) have signed a Dual Admission Agreement. The RCC Technology Center is shown above.

Dominican College and Rockland Community College (RCC) in Suffern, NY, have signed a Dual Admission Agreement to encourage students to earn a bachelor’s degree. The agreement guarantees that RCC students who successfully complete their associate degree will be admitted to Dominican College.

“This agreement helps to support and encourage RCC students who would like to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree,” said Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D., President of Dominican College.  “We are committed to providing financial assistance and academic advisement to ensure that the RCC students have a smooth transfer to Dominican College. Ultimately, Rockland County and the surrounding areas will benefit with a more educated workforce.”

“Our partnership with Dominican College is another example of how we are working with regional institutions to ensure that our graduates can stay local and go far with an affordable, high quality educational experience that will provide them with a strong foundation for the career of their choosing,” said Dr. Michael A. Baston, president, Rockland Community College. “This agreement with Dominican College provides our students the ability to easily transfer to a prestigious four-year institution and take the next step in their career journey,” states Dr. Baston.

The agreement provides that:

  • RCC students who successfully earn an Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), will be guaranteed acceptance to Dominican College. The students are not, however, guaranteed acceptance to a particular program of study.
  • RCC graduates will qualify for a Dominican-RCC Transfer Student Scholarship of $3,000 to $12,500 for full-time study in any classroom-based undergraduate program. The award is renewable annually, provided students meet the terms of the scholarship.
  • The colleges will provide joint advisement to students to ensure that students are able to transfer from RCC to Dominican College without academic disruption.
  • Incoming freshman students who were not accepted for admission to Dominican College can “reverse transfer” to RCC, complete their associate degree at RCC, and then transfer to Dominican College.

    The Dual Admission Agreement takes effect immediately.  Interested students who sign an RCC-Dominican College Intent to Enroll Form will have dual admission to both colleges and receive advisement from counselors at both schools.

    Both Dominican and RCC are HSIs, Hispanic Serving Institutions, committed to Hispanic success in education and improving access to quality of postsecondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students; and to meeting the needs of business, industry, and government through the development and sharing of resources, information, and expertise.

    For more information, contact RCC’s Admissions Office at 845-574-4224 or admissions@sunyrockland.edu or Dominican College’s Admissions Office at 866-432-4636 admissions@duny.edu.

    July 14, 2021

    Head of Vaccine Development at Pfizer Delivers Commencement Address

    Kathrin Jansen in Commencement regalia delivering the Commencement Speech.

    Kathrin U. Jansen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., delivered the Commencement Address to Dominican College graduates on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

    Kathrin U. Jansen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., wished the Dominican College Class of 2021 “a lifetime of joyful learning and meaningful accomplishments” at the 67th Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 27, 2021,  at the Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona, NY.

    During her Commencement Address, which was delivered virtually,  Jansen praised the graduates for persevering during an unprecedented time.  “You deserve recognition not only for having earned your degrees, but for having done so while contending with the extraordinary challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

    Jansen then spoke about her experience with COVID-19 as a New York City resident who saw refrigerated trucks that served as temporary morgues lining a city block near her apartment.  “As chilling as the experience was for me, it was also a once in a lifetime opportunity to help save people’s lives,” she said. “As I walked back to my apartment the night I saw those refrigerated trucks, I decided that Pfizer would have to develop a vaccine to try to help end the pandemic.  What’s more – we’d have to do so faster than it had ever been done before.”

    Under  Jansen’s leadership, Pfizer developed the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive emergency use authorization for use in individuals 16 years of age and older from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was developed in record-breaking time and is currently the only vaccine also approved for emergency use in adolescents 12 to 15 years of age.  Jansen explained that the vaccine was developed quickly without taking shortcuts by using a radical approach of carrying out required steps simultaneously,  instead of sequentially.

    The development of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is just the latest success in Jansen’s impressive 32-year career. She has also developed vaccines to fight the HPV virus and pneumonia. At the Commencement, the honorary degree of Doctor of Science was conferred upon Jansen in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the development of life-saving vaccines, her unwavering determination to help end a pandemic that has claimed more than 600,000 U.S. lives, and her steadfast devotion to science and data.

    Jansen ended her address by sharing with the graduates what she has learned since graduating. Her advice was: don’t waste time worrying; always trust your gut; value your alliances; express your gratitude to your valued partners; embrace opportunities and learn from detours and failures; and cultivate resilience. “It is abundantly clear to me that the Dominican Class of 2021 already has the quality of resilience in abundance,” she said.  “You survived a most difficult year and you are here with your friends and family to celebrate it – to celebrate you.”

    In addition to the undergraduate ceremony, graduate hooding and commencement ceremonies for Dominican College students earning advanced degrees took place on the Orangeburg, NY, campus throughout June.  A total of 525 students received degrees – 74 doctoral degrees, 109 master’s degrees, 340 bachelor’s degrees, and two associate degrees.

    June 28, 2021

    Class of 2020 PT Graduates Attain 100% Board Pass Rate

    For the third year in a row, 100% of Dominican College physical therapy graduates have passed the board exam within one year of graduation.  In addition to this achievement, the Class of 2020 Doctor of Physical Therapy students also had a 100% graduation rate.

    Emil Euaparadorn, PT, DSc, Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, attributes this success to a number of factors, starting with a revamped admissions process, “Besides looking at intellectual ability, we look at emotional intelligence.  We are looking for really mature students who will study – but more importantly – when they struggle, they will seek advice and listen to the advice of faculty.”

    Euaparadorn said that other improvements to the program included changes in curriculum, an increase in comprehensive, hands-on tests, and more intensive board preparation.  He says the clinical instructors have given amazing feedback on the quality of Dominican College students, and many students are offered jobs prior to graduation.

    Board exams are formally known as the National Physical Therapy Examination and are required to become a licensed physical therapist.

     

     

    June 3, 2021

    County Executives Upbeat During Palisades Institute Forum.

    Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and Rockland County Executive Ed Day (shown here during a 2018 forum) both took part in the 2021 County Executive Forum via Zoom.

    After facing enormous leadership challenges over the past year because of COVID, regional leaders said they finally see the light at the end of the tunnel during the annual County Executive Forum on June 2, 2021.   The forum was held via Zoom and featured Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.  Both Neuhaus and Day were very upbeat with COVID cases down, vaccinations rising, the economy bouncing back, and a strong housing market.

    Day said Rockland is looking beyond clinics to increase vaccinations, “The challenge now is to get ourselves out to communities to make sure that we get vaccinations to as many people as possible in whatever way is feasible.”

    The County Executive Forum is a long-standing tradition of the Palisades Institute and has been held annually since 2005.

    June 3, 2021

    NY Fed Researcher Discusses Economic Recovery After COVID

    Photo of smiling Jason Bram, wearing suit and tie and eye glasses.

    Jason Bram shared his thoughts on the post-pandemic economic recovery with community members on May 18, 2021, via Zoom.

    The message of the annual Outlook on the Economy presentation on May 18, 2021, was that the regional economy has shown signs of improvement now that COVID cases are down and vaccinations are on the rise.

    Jason Bram, a research officer with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was the guest speaker during the Zoom forum.   “This downturn that has been declared a recession is much more like a natural disaster,” he said.  Bram explained that in a recession the recovery is very gradual.  However, he hopes the economy will turn around quickly following COVID, as it usually does following an earthquake or hurricane.

    Bram noted that consumer spending is up, the service sector is improving, and home prices have increased, except in Manhattan.  Inflation, however, is an area of concern.

    Bram’s research focuses on the U.S. economy, with a primary emphasis on the Federal Reserve’s Second District, which includes New York State, northern New Jersey, and southwestern Connecticut, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    May 24, 2021

    Occupational Therapy Program Receives 10-Year Accreditation

    Three female students with a large poster on the campus quad.

    OT students during the Annual Research Poster Presentation on May 9, 2021.

    The master’s level Occupational Therapy Program at Dominican College has been accredited for 10 years – the maximum period that can be granted to an occupational therapy educational program. The determination was made by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), which accredits schools for five, seven, or 10 years based upon a self-study and onsite visit.  Pamela Story, OTD, Director, Division of Allied Health, said that  ACOTE considered compliance with 189 administrative, curricular, and fieldwork standards.

    “A ten-year accreditation is the highest level of accreditation that any occupational therapy educational program can achieve.  That a nontraditional weekend format program earned this level of accreditation under intense scrutiny and other challenges unequivocally affirms the high quality and rigor in its administrative, curricular, and clinical fieldwork content and processes,” said Story.  “I am so proud to be part of a group of brilliant, talented, dedicated, passionate, and expert faculty,  and an institution dedicated to supporting nontraditional programs that make a better way of life possible for those who would otherwise not have such opportunities. “

    As part of the extensive accreditation process, ACOTE interviewed administrators, faculty, adjuncts, current students, alumni, community fieldwork educators, and employers of graduates.

    May 20, 2021