Congratulations to the 30 Dominican College students who completed capstone projects and presented posters last Tuesday at the Inaugural Liberal Arts Senior Scholars Presentation.
These are students have mastered their disciplines and through their poster presentations, they showcased the skills and intellectual ability they acquired through their Liberal Arts education.
April 24, 2015
Congratulations to Giovanna Czander, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, on her selection to participate in the seminar on Teaching Interfaith Understanding that will be held at DePaul University this summer. The degree of competition for participation was keen. Only 26 faculty members were selected for this seminar.
Dr. Czander has also been chosen for the 2015-16 Teaching and Learning Workshop for Pre-Tenure Religion Faculty at Colleges and University organized by Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.
Giovanna R. Czander, Ph.D, joined the Dominican College faculty in 2009.
March 11, 2015
Dr. Ellen Ecker Dolgin has published a new book titled Shaw and the Actresses Franchise League: Staging Equality. The book can be purchased on Amazon.com and has been described by Christopher Innes of York University as a book that, “defines historical events in a strikingly new way by exploring the interconnectedness between Edwardian dramatists, actresses and suffragettes and defines an unexpected cultural phenomenon merging arts and activism.”
Ellen Ecker Dolgin, Ph.D, is a professor of English and the coordinator of Dominican University’s English program.
March 9, 2015
On Sunday, February 22, the College’s Debating Team hosted an intercollegiate debating tournament in Casey Hall, welcoming a number of talented college debaters from the local region. Defending their home field for the first time this semester, the team did not disappoint.
The team of Alma Godinez and Jordan Zuber-Banks led the way, earning a second-place finish in the always very competitive Varsity Division. They missed out on the top-place finish by only one point. Mr. Zuber-Banks also earned an individual third-place speaking award. Veteran debater Nathaniel McAuliffe took the first-place speaking award in the Varsity Division. Paired with Katherine Flores, who was competing in the Varsity Division for the first time, Mr. McAuliffe and Ms. Flores finished the day with a 2-1 record. In the Junior Varsity Division, the newly formed team of Jonathan Cho and newcomer Shakira Hamilton made some noise at the tournament as well, competing hard and gaining some very good experience along the way. Team member Natalie Arias, who did not have a partner available for the competitoin, provided valued support as a judging advisor throughout the day.
The Debate Team will be back on the road to compete in its next tournament of the semester to be held at SUNY-Rockland on Sunday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m.
February 26, 2015
Dominican College’s Online Communication Studies Program ranks among the nation’s top colleges according to a new analysis by Affordable Colleges Online, a not-for-profit resource center that provides information about college cost, financial aid and college rankings.
Dominican College is ranked #22 on AC Online’s list of the “Top Online Communications Degrees.” According to AC Online, colleges on the list “stand out either for cost or quality.” The University of Minnesota (#1) DePaul University (#5) and Indiana University (#16) are some of the well-known institutions that are also named on the list.
To create the list, the website employed a proprietary scoring system using various cost and quality criteria and metrics, including:
“We researched hundreds of online communications programs across the nation,” said Dan Schuessler, founder and CEO of Affordable Colleges Foundation. “The schools ranked in our list had the best combinations of academic quality, affordability, flexibility and resources.”
“I am honored and excited to have AC Online recognize Dominican College this way,” said Mark Meachem, Ed.D, Director of the Division of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Communication Studies faculty. “We have worked hard to build innovative online courses that will prepare students for the global workforce and help increase the skill set students bring to their jobs.”
Dominican College’s online students connect with the full college experience: interaction with faculty chosen for their qualifications, experience and their teaching skill; access to the Career Development Center and the library collections; and membership in an international alumni network of over 10,000 people. In addition to Communication Studies, popular online programs at Dominican College include Criminal Justice, Psychology and Social Sciences.
For more information on the AC Online rankings, go to: http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/online-colleges/communications-programs/
January 8, 2015
Dominican College’s Online Communication Studies Program ranks among the nation’s top colleges according to a new analysis by Affordable Colleges Online, a not-for-profit resource center that provides information about college cost, financial aid and college rankings.
Dominican College is ranked #22 on AC Online’s list of the “Top Online Communications Degrees.” According to AC Online, colleges on the list “stand out either for cost or quality.” The University of Minnesota (#1) DePaul University (#5) and Indiana University (#16) are some of the well-known institutions that are also named on the list.
To create the list, the website employed a proprietary scoring system using various cost and quality criteria and metrics, including:
“We researched hundreds of online communications programs across the nation,” said Dan Schuessler, founder and CEO of Affordable Colleges Foundation. “The schools ranked in our list had the best combinations of academic quality, affordability, flexibility and resources.”
“I am honored and excited to have AC Online recognize Dominican College this way,” said Mark Meachem, Ed.D, Director of the Division of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Communication Studies faculty. “We have worked hard to build innovative online courses that will prepare students for the global workforce and help increase the skill set students bring to their jobs.”
Dominican College’s online students connect with the full college experience: interaction with faculty chosen for their qualifications, experience and their teaching skill; access to the Career Development Center and the library collections; and membership in an international alumni network of over 10,000 people. In addition to Communication Studies, popular online programs at Dominican College include Criminal Justice, Psychology and Social Sciences.
For more information on the AC Online rankings, go to: http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/online-colleges/communications-programs/
January 8, 2015
Dominican College in collaboration with the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance (SCWA) has been awarded a grant through the Water Resources Grant Program of the NYS Water Resources Institute (WRI) at Cornell University.
The Water Resources Research Grant will support the development of a course-based service learning research project that will educate and train undergraduate students in the fields of ecology and molecular microbiology. Students in the courses Molecular Microbiology, Introduction to Ecology, and Research Seminar at Dominican College will be involved in an analysis of the diversity of plant species in the Sparkill Creek watershed area, and will determine the level and type of fecal contamination in this waterway. They will serve as hands-on researchers under the guidance of the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance and the Hudson Riverkeeper. The overarching goal of this project is to integrate novel research experience into the Biology curriculum at Dominican College. This research will encourage students to understand the role of “citizen science” while they learn how science professionals who continue in STEM professions and/or graduate studies can serve citizen science and the waterways. The grant will provide funds from April 2015-April 2016.
According to Dr. Madeline Mignone, Associate Professor of Biology and Dr. Bernadette Connors, Assistant Professor of Biology at the College, “The students will benefit from the hands-on experience that this grant makes possible. The course-based service learning project will provide the students with research experience and gives them a sense of community, as they are working with SCWA (a very active and respected citizen scientist) group that has done much in monitoring the Sparkill Creek waters for Riverkeeper.”
Laurie Seeman, Director of the SCWA adds, “Partnership means that there is a shared learning community being developed that is dedicated to the health and well- being of the waterway. The waterway has no voice, except for what we say. Science and data is a language that is a bridge between the citizens and the government and decision makers. Therefore, developing the best science is one of the most important ways to help the creek.”
The Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance (SCWA) is a community action group committed to promoting environmental awareness, partnerships and practices that restore and preserve the health of the Sparkill Creek and watershed. SCWA has partnered with Riverkeeper over several years by taking water samples at sixteen sites monthly during the months of May to October. This partnership was the first tributary assessment citizen partnership undertaken by Riverkeeper, and has become a model for working with other watershed groups.
The Mission of the New York State Water Resources Institute (WRI) is to improve the management of water resources in New York State and the nation. WRI is uniquely positioned, being federally and state mandated and located on a University campus, to access resources and technologies that are best practices in water management needs. WRI serves as a connection between the water research and water management communities, addressing critical water resource issues. In collaboration with partners around the state, WRI creates and sustains a large network of cross-discipline water resources researchers and managers. They also improve the quality and quantity of information regarding water resources management and technologies available and share their knowledge with educators, managers, and policy makers.
Dominican College, a 2014 College of Distinction, is an independent institution of higher learning, Catholic in origin and heritage. In the tradition of its Dominican founders, it fosters the active, shared pursuit of truth and embodies an ideal of education rooted in the values of reflective understanding and compassionate involvement.
December 18, 2014
Dominican College in collaboration with the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance (SCWA) has been awarded a grant through the Water Resources Grant Program of the NYS Water Resources Institute (WRI) at Cornell University.
The Water Resources Research Grant will support the development of a course-based service learning research project that will educate and train undergraduate students in the fields of ecology and molecular microbiology. Students in the courses Molecular Microbiology, Introduction to Ecology, and Research Seminar at Dominican College will be involved in an analysis of the diversity of plant species in the Sparkill Creek watershed area, and will determine the level and type of fecal contamination in this waterway. They will serve as hands-on researchers under the guidance of the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance and the Hudson Riverkeeper. The overarching goal of this project is to integrate novel research experience into the Biology curriculum at Dominican College. This research will encourage students to understand the role of “citizen science” while they learn how science professionals who continue in STEM professions and/or graduate studies can serve citizen science and the waterways. The grant will provide funds from April 2015-April 2016.
According to Dr. Madeline Mignone, Associate Professor of Biology and Dr. Bernadette Connors, Assistant Professor of Biology at the College, “The students will benefit from the hands-on experience that this grant makes possible. The course-based service learning project will provide the students with research experience and gives them a sense of community, as they are working with SCWA (a very active and respected citizen scientist) group that has done much in monitoring the Sparkill Creek waters for Riverkeeper.”
Laurie Seeman, Director of the SCWA adds, “Partnership means that there is a shared learning community being developed that is dedicated to the health and well- being of the waterway. The waterway has no voice, except for what we say. Science and data is a language that is a bridge between the citizens and the government and decision makers. Therefore, developing the best science is one of the most important ways to help the creek.”
The Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance (SCWA) is a community action group committed to promoting environmental awareness, partnerships and practices that restore and preserve the health of the Sparkill Creek and watershed. SCWA has partnered with Riverkeeper over several years by taking water samples at sixteen sites monthly during the months of May to October. This partnership was the first tributary assessment citizen partnership undertaken by Riverkeeper, and has become a model for working with other watershed groups.
The Mission of the New York State Water Resources Institute (WRI) is to improve the management of water resources in New York State and the nation. WRI is uniquely positioned, being federally and state mandated and located on a University campus, to access resources and technologies that are best practices in water management needs. WRI serves as a connection between the water research and water management communities, addressing critical water resource issues. In collaboration with partners around the state, WRI creates and sustains a large network of cross-discipline water resources researchers and managers. They also improve the quality and quantity of information regarding water resources management and technologies available and share their knowledge with educators, managers, and policy makers.
Dominican College, a 2014 College of Distinction, is an independent institution of higher learning, Catholic in origin and heritage. In the tradition of its Dominican founders, it fosters the active, shared pursuit of truth and embodies an ideal of education rooted in the values of reflective understanding and compassionate involvement.
December 18, 2014
Cheered on by family and friends, the Dominican College Debating Team returned to action on November 23, hosting an intercollegiate debate tournament in Casey Hall.
Veteran members Christopher Bronson and Nathaniel McAuliffe led the team, earning a fourth-place finish in a very competitive Varsity Division. Mr. Bronson also earned an individual fourth-place speaking award. In the Junior Varsity Division, the teams of Alma Godinez and Edward O’Neill; Natalie Arias and Katherine Flores; and Elexis Harris and Nevan Obach continued to gain experience and represent Dominican College with honor and pride. Jonathan Cho, another new team member, joined forces with a debater from SUNY-Rockland, and while the hybrid school team did not place, Jonathan was recognized for his performance in his first-ever intercollegiate debate. The Debate Team will be on the road for its next tournament, traveling to the City on February 8 to compete at Yeshiva University.
December 2, 2014
The Dominican College Debate Team participated in the season-opening intercollegiate debate tournament on November 9 at SUNY-Rockland.
Graduate student Christopher Bronson teamed up with newcomer Alma Godinez to put in a spirited performance that earned them a fifth-place finish in a very competitive Varsity Division. In the Junior Varsity Division, the rookie team of Elexis Harris and Edward O’Neill earned a fifth-place finish. Katherine Flores, another rookie team member, joined forces with a debater from SUNY-Rockland, and while the hybrid school team did not place, their effort was commendable.
The Debate Team will be back in action on Sunday, November 23, as it hosts the next tournament of the season in Casey Hall. Spectators are welcome as the Chargers defend their home field.
November 12, 2014
Awash in Data but a Drought in Understanding
“Drowning in information but starving for wisdom.” These are the words of E.O. Wilson that address the problem with today’s Information Age. In a recent NY Times article (April 16, 2015), Nicholas Kristof explains that a liberal arts education is what helps society sift through the flood of data to make sense of the world. Kristof writes, “Modern technology puts the world’s information at our fingertips, but what do we do with it? It takes strong critical thinking skills, and the perspective gained from studying a broad range of subjects, to use information wisely. It takes, in other words, a liberal education. Still, pundits, politicians, and the public at large can be skeptical about the merits of education that isn’t obviously vocational. So Kristof offers three reasons why liberal education is good for individuals and for society.
First, an education that includes studies in the arts and humanities is actually quite valuable in the job market. “A broad liberal arts education is a key pathway to success in the twenty-first-century economy,” according to Harvard labor economist Lawrence Katz, who notes that the economic return on pure technical skills is diminishing; the highest returns are now going to graduates who possess both technical, field-specific skills and “soft skills,” such as teamwork and written and oral communication. Another, equally important reason is that “we need people conversant with the humanities to help reach wise public policy decisions, even about the sciences,” Kristof says. Technology does not exist in a vacuum—technical innovations like digital communication and genetic modification bring with them new ethical dilemmas and philosophical issues to consider.
Finally, Kristof says, the arts and humanities offer lessons about human nature, about how to understand the world around us. “Wherever our careers lie, much of our happiness depends upon our interactions with those around us, and there’s some evidence that literature nurtures a richer emotional intelligence,” he says. “In short, it makes eminent sense to study coding and statistics today, but also history and literature.”
The Liberal Arts is the Workplace Trend for the Next Decade
Author Dan Schwabel writes that, “AI will automate technical skills and drive the demand for soft skills like creativity, communication and empathy. While there’s been such a focus on recruiting STEM over the past several years, those majors will continue to lose relevance, while liberal arts majors will become more valuable to companies moving forward.”
Click Here to read more about the Liberal Arts Comeback
Despite a social push towards specializations and the focus on getting a job after graduation, the liberal arts remain vital to a well-educated society. More than that, a liberal arts degree from Dominican college will increase your market value. We focus on teaching you the skills employers want the most (communication skills, critical thinking, clear writing, problem solving, cultural understanding). Private liberal arts colleges like Dominican College have the power to meet one of the nation’s top priorities:
increasing the number of college graduates who have the skills that employers want.
Don’t believe me? Click here to read what employers look for.
You can also click here to see why understanding various cultures is important to a career such as investment banking.
Click here is read why experts believe that scientists need to trained in the arts, not just STEM programs.
What about power and leadership? Well, we have that covered too. Read about the role of the liberal arts in developing social power and in developing society’s leaders. You can even find the reason (click here) why the high- tech computer industry sees a need to hire Liberal Arts majors — especially English majors.
Choosing Dominican College and its liberal arts core is an excellent choice to prepare you for the future. Feel free to contact me with questions about the liberal arts requirements or about a program within the liberal arts disciplines.
Dr. Mark C. Meachem is Associate Professor of Communication Studies and the Director of the Division of Arts and Sciences. If you have questions about the value of a Liberal Arts degree, Dr. Meachem can be reached at mark.meachem@duny.edu or (845) 848-4043
May 25, 2014