Dominican College Earns Military Friendly® School Designation

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

“The College is proud to support veterans and active duty service members in their efforts to pursue their educational and career goals,” said Brian Fernandes, Vice President for Enrollment Management.  “In addition to veterans’ benefit programs, the College also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to further its commitment to veterans. Members of these groups enroll in our bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.”

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

Military Friendly’s National Director Josh Rosen stated, “Our ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to colleges creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to invest in programs to provide educational outcomes that are better for the military community as a whole.”

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

For more information about Dominican College’s veterans programs, visit: https://dccollege2021.wpengine.com/admissions/financial-aid-2/veterans/  The 2020-­2021 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

 

February 11, 2020

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

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

“We are pleased to announce that Sam Fratto, the Business Manager of IBEW Local 363 has been selected the Dominican College Person of the Year,” said College President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien. “Sam was chosen for his outstanding professional leadership, his community involvement, and his philanthropic works.”

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

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

Under Fratto’s leadership, Local 363 has supported many community organizations, included the Boy Scouts, United Way, United Hospice, Child Care Resources of Rockland, Helen Hayes Hospital, and Jawonio.  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.

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

February 10, 2020

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

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

“We are pleased to announce that Sam Fratto, the Business Manager of IBEW Local 363 has been selected the Dominican College Person of the Year,” said College President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien. “Sam was chosen for his outstanding professional leadership, his community involvement, and his philanthropic works.”

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

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

Under Fratto’s leadership, Local 363 has supported many community organizations, included the Boy Scouts, United Way, United Hospice, Child Care Resources of Rockland, Helen Hayes Hospital, and Jawonio.  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.

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

February 10, 2020

Outlook on the Regional Economy Remains Positive

Jason Bram, Research Officer, Regional Analysis Function, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, spoke during the Outlook on the Regional Economy in the Fury Lecture Hall on January 23, 2020.

Overall, the regional economy is in good shape with unemployment rates at or near record lows.  That was the message from Jason Bram,  a Research Officer with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, during the 9th annual Outlook on the Regional Economy presentation on January 23, 2020  in the Prusmack Center.

There are some signs that the robust economy is slowing, however.  Bram pointed out that housing markets have softened,  job growth has slowed, and recent business surveys are less positive.  “The economy has slowed, but it hasn’t slowed dramatically,” said Bram.  “It’s hard to be negative when unemployment is so low and still declining.”

Bram 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. He produces the regional Beige Book reports, and uses monthly business surveys to monitor and analyze current and emerging economic trends and issues of concern.

 

January 27, 2020

Dominican College’s Online Program Ranked #5 in New York

Dominican College’s  undergraduate online program has been ranked #5 in New York State by Value Colleges.  According to Value Colleges, the best-ranked colleges are all regionally accredited, job-market proven, and have strong reputations for educational excellence.

“What makes Dominican College Online special is our small classes that are taught by professors, not teaching assistants,” said Mary McLean-Hely, Director of Online Education. “Our faculty has been trained in online teaching best practices and all the college resources, like the library, Career Development Center, and tutoring are also available online. Students receive both the attention from professors and an enriched online learning environment.”

Dominican College offers online programs in business management, psychology, criminal justice, communication studies, social sciences, computer information systems, and nursing. The College also has online graduate programs for Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy, Masters in Organizational Leadership and Communication, and Teachers for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

For more information about Dominican College Online, click here.  The complete Value Colleges ranking  for online colleges in New York can be viewed here.

January 8, 2020

Dominican College’s Online Program Ranked #5 in New York

Dominican College’s  undergraduate online program has been ranked #5 in New York State by Value Colleges.  According to Value Colleges, the best-ranked colleges are all regionally accredited, job-market proven, and have strong reputations for educational excellence.

“What makes Dominican College Online special is our small classes that are taught by professors, not teaching assistants,” said Mary McLean-Hely, Director of Online Education. “Our faculty has been trained in online teaching best practices and all the college resources, like the library, Career Development Center, and tutoring are also available online. Students receive both the attention from professors and an enriched online learning environment.”

Dominican College offers online programs in business management, psychology, criminal justice, communication studies, social sciences, computer information systems, and nursing. The College also has online graduate programs for Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy, Masters in Organizational Leadership and Communication, and Teachers for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

For more information about Dominican College Online, click here.  The complete Value Colleges ranking  for online colleges in New York can be viewed here.

January 8, 2020

U.S. Senate Confirms Dominican College Alumna as Federal Judge

Alumna and Trustee Emeritus Mary Kay Vyskocil has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a federal judge.

The U.S. Senate voted on December 19, 2019 to confirm alumna Mary Kay Vyskocil, ’80, as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York.  Vyskoscil has served as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge since 2016.

Prior to being appointed as a judge, Vyskocil was a partner in the New York Law firm of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP.  During her 33-year career at Simpson Thacher, Vyskocil litigated some of the most significant insurance and reinsurance cases, representing major domestic and foreign insurers in complex coverage litigations, including numerous arbitrations, jury trials, and appellate arguments. She represented Swiss RE Ltd. In litigation arising from the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and has also represented JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the Travelers Cos. Inc.

Vyskocil graduated summa cum laude from Dominican College and attended St. John’s University Law School.  At Dominican College, she was the first recipient of the prestigious Badami Outstanding Alumna Award, was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Achievement, and was named an Alumni of Distinction.

After serving two 15-year terms on the Dominican College Board of Trustees, Vyskocil was named a Trustee Emeritus in 2018.

December 20, 2019

U.S. Senate Confirms Dominican College Alumna as Federal Judge

Alumna and Trustee Emeritus Mary Kay Vyskocil has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a federal judge.

The U.S. Senate voted on December 19, 2019 to confirm alumna Mary Kay Vyskocil, ’80, as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York.  Vyskoscil has served as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge since 2016.

Prior to being appointed as a judge, Vyskocil was a partner in the New York Law firm of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP.  During her 33-year career at Simpson Thacher, Vyskocil litigated some of the most significant insurance and reinsurance cases, representing major domestic and foreign insurers in complex coverage litigations, including numerous arbitrations, jury trials, and appellate arguments. She represented Swiss RE Ltd. In litigation arising from the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and has also represented JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the Travelers Cos. Inc.

Vyskocil graduated summa cum laude from Dominican College and attended St. John’s University Law School.  At Dominican College, she was the first recipient of the prestigious Badami Outstanding Alumna Award, was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Achievement, and was named an Alumni of Distinction.

After serving two 15-year terms on the Dominican College Board of Trustees, Vyskocil was named a Trustee Emeritus in 2018.

December 20, 2019

Business Leaders Discuss the Internet of Things

Tom Gilley, Chief Technology Officer at Convergia Communications, was the guest speaker at the Palisades Institute forum “Defining the Future: The Internet of Things.”

Business leaders had plenty of comments and questions about how internet-connected devices are rapidly changing the world we live in at the Palisades Institute forum, “Defining the Future:  the Internet of Things.”   Tom Gilley, Chief Technology Officer at Convergia Communications, was the guest speaker at the December 11, 2019 forum in Rosary Hall.  Gilley said connected products increase effectiveness and optimize revenue.

“Any time you are changing a part of your infrastructure, whether it is in your home, a small company, or a large company, you should think about what your connected product strategy is,” said Gilley.

Gilley suggests businesses that are changing lighting, HVAC, and business systems consider connected products.  While connected products have many benefits, Gilley said there are concerns about security and privacy.

At the beginning of 2019, there were about 7 billion internet-connected devices.  That number is expected to explode to 21 billion by 2025.

 

December 12, 2019

New Pre-Athletic Training Track in Health Sciences to Start in Fall 2020

Dominican College’s Health Sciences Program will include a new pre-athletic training concentration beginning in fall 2020.  The New York State Education Department has approved the change to the Bachelor of Science in the Health Sciences degree.

“Many of our students are interested in careers in fields related to professional sports.  Currently, we have a sports management concentration within the business management major,” said Academic Dean Thomas Nowak, Ph.D. “The pre-athletic training track in the health sciences provides an exciting second option for students who want to be involved with sports as a career – even possibly on the professional level.”

Other tracks in the Health Sciences Program include pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy, and a general track.  The new pre-athletic training concentration will allow students interested in a master’s degree in athletic training to complete all the prerequisites needed.  Across the nation, the professional degree required to become a certified athletic trainer is changing from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree based on guidelines from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

November 22, 2019

Former New Jersey Net Michael O’Koren Inspires Charger Athletes

At the annual Tip-Off Dinner (pictured left to right), women’s basketball coach Bill Diener, Trustee Michael McLaughlin, former NBA player Michael O’Koren, and men’s basketball coach Joe Clinton.

The 2019-2020 women’s and men’s basketball team got advice on how to be successful on and off the court from former New Jersey Net standout Mike O’Koren at the annual Tip-Off Dinner on October 24, 2019.

O’Koren said that during his career he learned that fundamentals, confidence, and camaraderie are all key to performing well on the basketball court.  At the University of North Carolina, Koren was an All-American athlete and played under legendary head coach Dean Smith.  He was a first round selection of the New Jersey Nets in 1980 and played with the club for ten years.  O’Koren then moved on to coaching as an assistant coach with the Nets, the Washington Wizards, and Rutgers University.

College trustee and former Charger basketball player Michael McLaughlin, ’90, told the athletes in attendance, “As great of a player as he is, off the court he is an even better person.”

O’Koren’s advice to the athletes went beyond tips for a successful athletic career.  He told them to be successful in life they needed discipline and should strive to make their parents proud. “You know the difference between right and wrong,” he said. “Follow that right path and make them proud and good things will certainly happen for you.”

The Tip-Off Dinner was held at the Casa Mia House in Blauvelt, NY.

October 25, 2019

Dominican College Ranked a Top Performer on Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report

Dominican College has been ranked as a Top Performer on Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report in their 2020 Best Colleges list.  Dominican College was ranked #19 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.  Most of these federal grants are awarded to students with adjusted gross family incomes under $50,000.

President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D. said, “We are delighted to be recognized for helping  economically challenged students to succeed.  Dominican College has always welcomed students of all economic backgrounds and strongly believes that everyone deserves a top quality education.”

Dominican College is the top ranked college for social mobility in Rockland County.   For more information and the complete list, visit the U.S. News & World Report website.

October 18, 2019