Student Chosen for Selective NY Program for Aspiring Filmmakers

Senior Joseph Key, shown above, took part in an interactive workshop to promote the inclusion of diverse voices in the entertainment industry.

Senior Joseph Key was one of just 31 students chosen statewide to participate in Pitch NY – a  program for aspiring filmmakers, producers, and writers. During the day-long interactive workshop, the students heard from industry leaders, pitched their ideas, and got advice.  The workshop took place at NBCUniversal’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios. 

While Joseph is a Nursing major, he explains that he has two passions in life – nursing, which he finds very fulfilling, and filmmaking, which allows him to express his creativity. Before attending Dominican College, he spent one year at the New York Film Academy. In his free time, he produces videos and short films and shares them on the internet. 

Joseph is very grateful that he was given the opportunity to participate in this workshop. “I  didn’t realize the stakes until I actually got there and they told us that they received hundreds of applications, “  he said. 

The event, hosted by the Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development and NBCUniversal Studios, in collaboration with the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, is the latest State initiative to promote the inclusion of diverse voices in the entertainment industry.

 

 

December 7, 2016

College Hosts Symposium on the Safety of Our Water

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There was a wide range of water safety topics discussed at the Fourth Annual Healthcare Symposium, ”Is Your Water Safe Enough? What You Need to Know” on Friday, November 18, 2016, in the Prusmack Center. 

A panel of experts educated residents about the safety of water for drinking and recreation. While public water is highly regulated, they said homeowners with private wells should test their water frequently. 

Dr. Daniel Miller, Water Supply Program Manager with the Rockland County Department of Health, also cautioned that water filters should be used properly. He explained that activated carbon filters that fit into a pitcher or onto your faucet work by absorbing contaminants to a site on the carbon.  “And when you saturate all those sites, they start releasing all those contaminants back into the water.  That’s why it’s extraordinarily important – and a lot of people just don’t do it – to change those cartridges.”  

As far as the safety of the Hudson River for recreation, Dr. Andy Juhl, a Lamont Associate Research Professor with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, said although the Hudson River is cleaner that it was years ago, there is room for improvement. “A typical location of the Hudson would still have unacceptable water quality because of sewage contamination about one out of every five days,” he said. He stressed that the tributaries of the Hudson River are actually more contaminated than the Hudson, and the Sparkill Creek is among the worst

Other panelists included: Dr. Steven Chillrud, Senior Doherty Research Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory; Hon. Harriet Cornell, Rockland County Legislator; and Dan Shapley, Water Quality Program Director, Riverkeeper. The program was moderated by the former Health Commissioner for Rockland County, Dr. Joan Facelle. 

“We are asked to be good stewards of our water supply so that our water can remain safe for generations to come,” said Dr. Facelle as she concluded the program. “ We need to continue to work on conservation, on monitoring and testing, regulation and enforcement, ongoing research and improved infrastructure, so that we can ensure a safe supply in the future.”

 

 

November 21, 2016

Businesses Get Tips on Securing Government Contracts

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Paul Brennan, Rockland County Director of Purchasing, and Lin Simeti, Program Director, REDC Procurement Technical Assistance Center, were among the panelists at the November 17 program, “How to Make Government Your Customer.”

Local business leaders interested in doing work for government agencies attended “How to Make Government Your Customer” on Thursday, November 17, 2016, in the Lawrence Room of Rosary Hall. The program was sponsored by the Palisades Institute. 

The first panel addressing “Steps to Becoming a Government Provider” included: Paul Piperato, Rockland County Clerk; Lin Simeti, Program Director, REDC Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC); and Paul Brennan, Rockland County Director of Purchasing.

Simeti explained that PTACs were started by the Department of Defense to assist small businesses with procurement. “They set up a program to actually help small businesses get through the process and guide them so that they have the opportunity to bid and government has the opportunity to have a wider pool of vendors.” The local PTAC in Pearl River helps businesses with one-on-one counseling, and has a free bid match system to notify businesses of local, state, or federal contracts that may interest them. 

Brennan stressed that in the public sector, businesses have the right to see past contracts and pricing so that they are not bidding on contracts “blind.” Among his suggestions:  read the entire solicitation, give yourself enough time to fill it out, ask questions, be sure to have the proper insurance, and don’t give up. 

A second panel of successful local government contractors spoke about how they have overcome challenges. Those panelists included: Ellie Kassner, President, W.H. Kassner, Inc.; Marcelo Reggiardo, Principal, Alianza, Services, LLC; Nick O’Brien, Vice President, Concept Print; and Harry Campbell, President, Biofeedback Resources International.

The aim of the Palisades Institute of Dominican College 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.

 

November 20, 2016

Annual Honors Convocation and Alpha Chi Induction Held

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David Daniel, the President of the Dominican College Chapter of Alpha Chi, delivered the Honors Convocation Address.

Dominican College’s most accomplished students were recognized during the annual Honors Convocation and Alpha Chi Induction on Monday, November 14, 2016, in the Hennessy Center.

The Alpha Chi Honor Society is a national honor society which recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and service. Alpha Chi is open to juniors and seniors in all disciplines and is highly selective. During the ceremony, the inductees lit candles from a Candle of Knowledge and were presented with a white stole around their necks.

David Daniel, a senior nursing student and the President of the Dominican College Chapter of Alpha Chi gave an inspiring Honors Convocation Address. The theme throughout his speech was that there is greatness inside each and every student.  He told a story of a young boy who was able to save his friend from drowning in an icy pond.  When responders questioned how the small boy could possibly break a large branch to help save his friend, an older man replied, “There was no one to tell him that he can’t.”

Daniel then spoke to the students. “If you can move away from naysayers, If you can push away the idea that it’s not possible,  you will be sitting here and the next thing you know, when you move to the next phase of your life, you’ll be amazed at what you can do, because there is greatness inside of you,” he said. 

In addition to the Alpha Chi induction, students were honored for being on the Dean’s List for one to three years.

 

 

November 15, 2016

New Club Raises Awareness of Disabilities

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Students ate blindfolded at the Dining in the Dark event sponsored by the new club Equal Access for All so they could experience how it feels to be blind or visually impaired.

A new Student Activities Club called Equal Access for All caught the attention of Dominican College students with its first event – Dining in the Dark. During the event, students and a few administrators ate dinner while blindfolded to understand the challenges faced by people who are blind or visually impaired. 

The President of the fledgling club, Jose Del Orden, is blind himself and said he hoped the event was both interesting and memorable. “The goal of this club is to spread awareness of disabilities in ways that are new and not only educational, but also entertaining, “  he said. 

Freshman Alayna Heegan was among those in attendance and spoke as she struggled to eat her salad.   “I feel like it’s all over the table,” she said.  “I’m getting of better understanding of how blind people feel and definitely will try to help them out.”

About 50 people attended the event  on Thursday, November 3, 2016, in the Lawrence Room of Rosary Hall.  

 

November 10, 2016

Upcoming Business Forum on How to Make Government Your Customer

pi-panel2Local business leaders interested in doing work for government agencies are invited to attend “How to Make Government Your Customer” on Thursday, November 17, 2016, at Dominican College.  The program is sponsored by the Palisades Institute and will take place in the Lawrence Room of Rosary Hall, 480 Western Highway, Blauvelt, NY, with breakfast at 7:30, and the forum running from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.  

There will be two panel discussions. The first panel addressing “Steps to Becoming a Government Provider” includes: Paul Brennan, Rockland County Director of Purchasing; Paul Piperato, Rockland County Clerk; and Lin Simeti, Program Director, REDC Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

The second panel is made up of successful local government contractors who will speak about “Creating Growth and Overcoming Challenges.” Panel participants include:  Ellie Kassner, President, W.H. Kassner, Inc.; Marcelo Reggiardo, Principal,  Alianza Services, LLC;  Nick O’Brien, Vice President, Concept Print; and Harry Campbell, President, Biofeedback Resources International.

The aim of the Palisades Institute of Dominican College 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.

For more information and to register, call (845) 848-7806 or visit www.duny.edu/pi-government.

November 2, 2016

Students and Donors Honored at Scholarship Recognition Dinner

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Former Kaplen Scholar Carolyn Monroe, ’02, spoke at the Scholarship Recognition Dinner on October 19.

The top students at Dominican College were honored during the Scholarship Recognition Dinner on Wednesday, October 19, 2016. This year, 87 scholarships were awarded to 83 students.   Among the students honored was freshman Rebecca Birmingham, who received a BLISS scholarship for academically-talented students studying biology.

Rebecca said she is pleased that she decided to attend Dominican College. “I feel like I fit right in,“  she said.  “Everybody is so welcoming and the staff is so accommodating, especially for freshman.” Rebecca had a 1720 SAT score and a 3.7 GPA at John Burke High School.

Former Kaplen scholar Carolyn Monroe, ’02, who graduated with a B.S. in Nursing, addressed the scholars. “It’s not just getting the scholarship and what you do with it, it’s keeping your connection with Dominican and knowing that they are always there for you.”  Monroe received the Badami Outstanding Alumni Award in 2011 and is included in the top 100 Alumni of Distinction.

The Scholarship Recognition Dinner is held every year, not only  to honor the scholarship recipients and their families, but also to thank the generous benefactors who make the scholarships possible.

 

October 21, 2016

Five New Members Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame 2016

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The new members of the Athletic Hall of Fame are; Melissa Lazaro Bastone, Cara Piasecki, Chad Jeffries, Sr. Kathleen Sullivan, O.P., and John Fitzsimmons. (Shown left to right.)

The Dominican University Athletic Hall of Fame welcomed five new members during an Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 1, 2016. The five new members are; Sr. Kathleen Sullivan, O.P.; Chad Jeffries, ’99; John Fitzsimmons, ’01; Cara Piasecki, ’10; and Melissa Lazaro Bastone, ’02.  The new inductees enjoyed a champagne toast in the Badami Room before heading to the Granito Center for the official ceremony where they received medals and plaques.  Photos of the inductees will be hung alongside past honorees on the first floor of the Hennessy Center. 

Sr. Kathleen Sullivan, O.P., Service – In her acceptance speech, Sr. Kathleen joked, “My father would never believe that I would be elected to a Hall of Fame in Athletics.  Never.”  Sr. Kathleen, who is a familiar face at basketball, baseball, and softball games, was honored for her service. Athletic Director Joseph Clinton said,  “She is our guiding light for our athletic programs.“  He called her the “Energizer Bunny” and pointed out that although she is currently Chancellor of External Affairs, her past positions at Dominican College have included Assistant Professor Of French, Director of Admissions, Academic Dean, and President. Sr. Kathleen has also served on the Board of Trustees for Malloy College and the Board of Directors for the Rockland Business Association, Good Samaritan Hospital, and United Way.  “I don’t know where she gets the stamina and energy, but it is amazing,” said Clinton.   

Chad Jeffries, ’99, Baseball – Baseball Coach Rick Giannetti remembers Jeffries as a phenomenal, complete baseball player, who during his junior year had 191 at-bats, 87 hits, 78 runs scored, 84 RBIs, 18 doubles, 8 triples, 8 home runs, and 25 stolen bases.  “I can honestly say that was probably the best individual season anyone has ever had,” said Giannetti. “I’ve never had a player with that power, speed, and baseball knowledge.” Jeffries led the team to the College World Series.

Jefferies stressed that everything in life happens for a reason. He said he originally planned to attend college in Texas, but when his scholarship fell through, he ended up attending Dominican University.  ”I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world,” he said. “Dominican is my second home.” 

John Fitzsimmons, ’01, Basketball – When he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, Fitzsimmons recalled his years as a student.  “I had an amazing time at Dominican.  It was four of the best years of my life.  I love coming back here.”  Coach Clinton described Fitzsimmons as a “true gentleman” and said he will go down in Dominican University history, “as one of the best – if not the best – shooters of all time.”  Fitzsimmons accumulated many honors during his Dominican University career including 2001 CACC Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-American.  He accumulated 1299 career points and was 1st in all-time games played at 125.

Cara Piasecki, ’10, Softball – At the induction ceremony, Piasecki said she could take credit only for about 50 percent of her success as an athlete.  “The other 50 percent was my family, my friends, my teammates, and my coaches who have supported me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Piasecki is the all-time career leader in home runs (31) and base on balls (86).  She is 3rd all-time in runs scored (149) and RBIs (137).  She was the captain of the 2009 and 2010 softball teams.  Those teams made the first NCAA regional appearances in school history for softball.  The 2009 team was the CACC regular season champions, and the 2010 team captured the regular season and the Postseason CACC championships. Piasecki has been a part-time assistant coach at Dominican University since her playing days ended.  Coach Joe Burbridge credited her with helping to create the winning culture that is still present today. 

Melissa Lazaro Bastone, ’02, Volleyball – Bastone is the first volleyball player ever to be inducted into the Dominican University Athletic Hall of Fame.  While the statistics are incomplete, she had more than 600 kills and 975 digs in just her last two years on the team. Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students John Burke described Bastone as passionate, tremendously skilled, a great teammate, and a hard worker.  He also pointed out that although she stands at only 5’3”, she is an amazing jumper who competed against much taller athletes.  “She is the best overall complete volleyball player that Dominican has ever had,” said Burke.  

Bastone said she has great memories of playing volleyball at Dominican University. “I just love competing and the comradery of the team, “she said. 

October 21, 2016

Alumni Christopher Berlingieri, Esq., Class of 2011

Christopher Berlingieri grew up in Suffolk County, Long Island and was an accomplished athlete who played varsity football and lacrosse at Sachem East High School.  It was his love for lacrosse which drew Chris to attend Dominican College in 2007, but after taking two of Dr. Anthony Troncone’s history classes in the Spring of 2008, Chris developed a passion to become a History major.  It was particularly through the history courses taught by Dr. Troncone and Dr. Christopher Libertini that he honed his critical thinking and writing skills, which proved crucial to his future studies in law school and then as a lawyer.  Chris quickly excelled in his undergraduate program, earning membership in Phi Alpha Theta, which is the National History Honor Society.

After graduating Dominican College in 2011, Chris attended Pace University Law School in White Plains, New York.  While there Chris held a judicial internship in Manhattan with a distinguished judge, competed at national moot court competitions, and worked at three different law firms as a law clerk.  After graduating from Pace with a Juris Doctor degree in 2014, he passed the New York and Connecticut State bar exams, both on his first attempt, and took a position at a New York City employment law firm.  Working as an associate, he often litigated cases in federal court.  In June 2015, Chris started his own firm, Berlingieri Law, PLLC, to better serve his clients’ needs.

Inspired by the values rooted in his Dominican College education, Chris has a particular dedication to provide underrepresented litigants and minority victims of wage-theft, discrimination/harassment, and workplace retaliation access to justice.  Chris regularly represents clients on a contingency fee and pro-bono basis, thereby providing people who could not otherwise pay legal fees access to high quality legal services.

Favorite DC Memory: Deciding to become a History major.

October 7, 2016

College Celebrates 800-Year Jubilee of Dominican Order

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Sr. Barbara Reid, O.P., Ph.D., spoke about Seeking Truth in the Year of Mercy during Founders Week.

The annual Founders Week activities at Dominican College had special significance this year because the Dominican Order is celebrating the 800-year anniversary of the founding of the Order. In honor of the Jubilee, several renowned and accomplished Dominican Sisters spoke at the College.  Throughout the week, the focus was on the Dominican pillars of study, community, spirituality, and service.  

Founder’s Week kicked off on Monday, September 19, with a keynote presentation from Sr. Kathleen McManus, O.P., Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Portland. Sr. Kathleen reviewed important Dominicans throughout the 800-year history of the Order and focused on St. Catherine of Siena’s famous quote, “If you are who you are meant to be, who will set the world on fire.”  She reached out to students and brought the age-old history of the Order of Preachers into the present by asking, “How do know who you are meant to be?”

Sr. Kathleen encouraged the students to be touched by the needs and suffering of our world, to study, and to contemplate to find the answer to that question. She concluded her speech by telling the students, “When – not if, but when – you are who you are meant to be, you will set the world on fire because you are all about the Dominican difference. “   

Throughout the day on Monday, the Sisters of the Blauvelt congregation, as “Itinerant Preachers,” visited classes to explain the mission of the Dominican Order. The Sisters also spoke with students and faculty about the meaning and significance of the Jubilee celebration.

Monday evening, Sr. Barbara Reid, O.P., V.P. and Academic Dean of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, addressed a crowd of Dominican Sisters, Board members, administrators, faculty, and staff about Seeking Truth in a Year of Mercy. She talked about seeking the truth about God, seeking the truth about ourselves, and seeking the truth about others.  “If the truth about God is that God is mercy and seeks to be with us, then it is incumbent on us who are made in God’s image to be the bridge to God’s mercy and to one another,” she said. Sr. Barbara added that while it may be easy to be a bridge of mercy to our beloved family and friends, a greater challenge is building bridges of mercy to our enemies and accepting mercy from them as well. 

The Living the Legacy speech, delivered each year by a Dominican College graduate, was given on Tuesday, September 20, by Sr. Mary Doris, O.P., ’63, the Foundress and Director of Siena House in the Bronx, which provides shelter to pregnant women and women with children under the age of three.  Sr. Mary urged the students to get involved.   “Whatever way – whatever small or big way – you can reach out in your neighborhood or wherever you live, there are people who need your help.  So whatever decision you are making in your life choices, please think about making a difference in the lives of children,” she said. 

Two students, Brianna Torres, ’18, , and Christine Ditzel, ‘19, spoke to fellow students on Wednesday, September 21, about their trip to Fanjeaux, France,  in June  to walk in the footsteps of St. Dominic with students and staff from Dominican colleges across the United States.  Each year, two students are chosen to go on the trip, which is partially paid for by the College.  Brianna said this Founders Week was more meaningful to her because of what she learned.  “Now I fully understand how the Dominican Order began, the work that was put into it, and the spirit of St. Dominic,” she said. 

The Dominican College community and the Dominican Sisters gathered on Thursday, September 22 in the Convent Chapel for a Dominican Jubilee Liturgy. Father Kenneth Letoile, O.P. said in his sermon that he was educated by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt and credited the Sisters with his decision to become a priest.  He then asked all the Sisters to stand and thanked them for helping us be who we are meant to be.  The sisters were thanked by everyone in attendance with a hearty round of applause. 

Dominican College students practiced what they had learned during the week with Preaching in Action activities on Friday, September 23. More than 30 students traveled to Goshen, NY, to volunteer at the House on the Hill and Harmony Farm.  The House on the Hill, which is run by the Sisters of St. Dominic, provides daycare to the children of migrant farm workers.  In addition to helping to care for the children, the students worked with the migrant workers in the farm and did heavy landscaping and clean up on the property to make the grotto usable again. 

Founders Week concluded with the 66th Annual Dominican Sisters Festival.  Dominican College students volunteered at the Festival, where local residents enjoyed food,  games, and pony rides.

 

September 27, 2016

A Cappella Group Performs National Anthem at Mets Game

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Singers from Dominican College shown on the Jumbotron at Citi Field performing the National Anthem on September 3, 2016.

Dominican College’s a cappella group Pitches and Cream performed the National Anthem at the Mets game at Citi Field on Saturday, September 3, 2016.

“What an incredible, indescribable experience,” said Musical Director of Pitches and Cream Lydia Maynard, Ph.D. “To have the honor of singing the National Anthem in front of 36,000 people, hearing the crowd erupt in applause during our final notes, having two Mets players walk by us as we rehearsed near the tunnel, and most importantly, representing Dominican College – none of us will ever forget this experience.”

Students, faculty, and administrators traveled by bus to the Mets game to support Pitches and Cream and cheer the singers on from the stands. Pitches and Cream was formed three years ago by Maynard who is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the College. 

 

 

Watch their performance here:

 

 

September 14, 2016

College Offers Biology Research Workshop for High School Students

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Dominican College is offering a Biology research workshop for high school students on weekends. The workshop will be held on five consecutive Saturdays, beginning on October 29, 2016, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Students participating in the program will have the opportunity to perform original biological research. The workshop series is open to any high school student who has completed their life science course and has a demonstrated interest in completing a research project. A total of 10 spots are available and there is no charge for the workshop. 

Interested students should contact Dr. Bernadette Connors at bernadette.connors@duny.edu or 845-848-6020 prior to October 15, 2016.

 

 

 

September 14, 2016