Brain Injury Awareness Month

Alumni Hall of Achievement

Date: Thursday, April 16 at 6:00 PM
Location: Granito Extension, Dominican University
493 Western Highway, Blauvelt NY 10913

Join Dominican University New York for a special evening celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Nursing Program. The evening will include dinner, awards, and a tribute to Sister Marian Reed, whose dedication and leadership helped shape generations of Dominican nurses.

During the program, the University will induct three distinguished Chargers into the Dominican University Hall of Achievement in recognition of their professional accomplishments and service to the nursing community.

Hall of Achievement Inductees

Dr. Christine Davies

Dr. Christine Davies '03
Service

Claudia Charles

Claudia Charles BA '12 BSN '20 FNP '25
Excellence

Deidre Lyons Mulligan

Deidre Lyons Mulligan DNP
Leadership

The evening will also honor the legacy of Sister Marian Reed. Guests may choose to make a gift fully or partially directed in her memory to help reduce financial barriers for deserving nursing students.

Tickets

$65 per person

All proceeds from the evening will support current nursing initiatives and help advance the mission of Dominican University's nursing program.

Students Build Homes During Alternative Spring Break

Student volunteers and a faculty member with tools standing inside the shell of a home they are helping to build.
Dominican University students and faculty member Margaret Mulligan in Punta Gorda, Florida where they are helping build a home with Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity.

Dominican University New York students helped to build homes with Habitat for Humanity as part of the Alternative Spring Break Program during the first week of March.  Seven students and a faculty member volunteered in Punta Golda, FL with Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity and seven students and two staff members volunteered in Wilmington, NC with Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity.   

“Rooted in the University’s mission and pillars, the program focuses on service, leadership, and community,” said Director of Student Engagement Rachel Shaw. “Students not only contribute to important projects,  but also return with a stronger sense of purpose, personal growth, and a deeper connection to the world around them.  

Dominican University has offered Alternative Spring Break for many years as a way for students to use their break from classes to make a meaningful impact. Students have helped with a variety of hands-on projects, including new construction, repairs, and home improvement to support local communities where they travel.  

BLAST Scholars Explore Career Options

Students wearing hair nets and rubber gloves in a kitchen mixing ice cream.
Dominican University students learn the science behind making ice cream at Penn State’s iconic Berkey Creamery.

Dominican University’s BLAST biology scholars traveled to Pennsylvania State University at the end of February to meet with alumna and mentor Anna Acosta ’22, who is pursuing her Ph.D. in Food Science.  During the visit, the Dominican University students toured the campus and got an inside look at the research laboratories and collaborative learning spaces.  They also listened to a series of flash talks as graduate students spoke about the diverse paths that led them to their advanced studies.

“This experience allowed our BLAST scholars to see how a biology degree can open doors far beyond traditional pathways.  Hearing directly from Anna and the graduate students helped our scholars envision themselves in those spaces and recognize that their journey can take many different and exciting directions.,“ said AnnMarie DelliPizzi, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, who accompanied the students on the trip along with Richard Flamio Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, 

The students also went to the iconic Penn State Berkey Creamery, where they explored the science behind ice cream production and participated in the process, including doing some hands-on “quality testing.” 

The BLAST (Biology for Low-Income Aspiring Scholars in Training) Program provides scholarships to high-achieving, low-income STEM students and aims to increase student retention and success by linking scholarships with co-curricular activities, including academic support, mentoring, and undergraduate research.  The students meet with scholars from other universities or industries to be exposed to different career paths.   

Catholic Sisters Week: Kick-Off Presentation

Join us as we officially begin Catholic Sisters Week with a special Kick-Off Presentation celebrating the lives, mission, and lasting impact of Catholic Sisters.

Monday, March 9 | 3:00–4:00 PM
Motherhouse, Huston Room

Catholic Sisters Week: Pizza & Trivia

Join us for Day 2 of Catholic Sisters Week with fun, food, and friendly competition at Pizza & Trivia! Enjoy complimentary pizza while testing your knowledge with trivia questions covering a variety of topics.

Bring your friends, form a team, or join one when you arrive. Whether you’re in it to win or just there for the pizza, this lively event is a great way to connect with the Sisters and the campus community. All are welcome!

Tuesday, March 10 | 4:30–5:30 PM
Motherhouse, Huston Room

Catholic Sisters Week: Irish Soda Bread Bake-Off

Celebrate Catholic Sisters Week with a warm and festive Irish Soda Bread Bake-Off! Join the Sisters and campus community for an afternoon of homemade treats, friendly competition, and Irish cheer. Sample a variety of freshly baked soda breads, cast your vote for your favorite, and enjoy good company in a welcoming atmosphere.

Thursday, March 12 | 2:00–4:00 PM
Motherhouse, Huston Room

CAB Spring Fest

Celebrate the end of the school year at the Chargers Activities Board’s annual Spring Fest — one of the biggest and most anticipated student events of the year! Take a well-deserved break from finals and join us on the Prusmack Quad for an afternoon packed with games, delicious food, inflatables, music, and nonstop fun with friends.

Whether you’re looking to relax, recharge, or blow off some steam before exams wrap up, Spring Fest is the perfect way to kick off the final stretch of the semester. Don’t miss this campus tradition!

April 30 | 2:30–5:00 PM
Doering Quad

Cupcakes & Kudos

Honoring Freshman inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

When: Tuesday, April 14
2:00-4:00 PM
Where: Casey Hall, Palisades Room

Drop in anytime for treats and celebration! 🧁

Student Leadership Awards

Thu, Apr 23rd 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

 

Pop Up Shop

Stop by our Dominican University Pop-Up Shop for a convenient, one-day shopping experience right on campus! Browse a curated selection of DUNY essentials, spirit gear, accessories, and unique items perfect for showing your school pride or picking up a thoughtful gift.

Whether you’re treating yourself, grabbing last-minute supplies, or just curious to see what’s available, there’s something for everyone!

March 17 | 1:30–4:30 PM
Granito Center, Room 202B

AI: From Tool to Teammate


Event Recap — March 23, 2026

Palisades Institute Forum: “AI: From Tool to Teammate”

On March 23, 2026, the Palisades Institute Forum brought together business leaders, students, and faculty at the Granito Center for an in-depth look at where AI is headed — and what organizations need to do now to keep pace.

The forum featured a keynote from national AI strategist Alex Ruiz, a live demonstration of agentic AI built by a DUNY student, and a moderated panel on leadership, ethics, and what comes next.

The session cut through the hype and focused on what works — especially for small businesses and nonprofits. Topics covered included:

  • •  AI as a growth engine for your organization
  • •  AI as an operational assistant and decision-maker
  • •  AI as a brand amplifier, and what thoughtful adoption looks like
  • •  The ethical questions every leader needs to be asking
🌟 DUNY business student Tommaso Falchi demonstrated his agentic AI platform live — a real proof-of-concept built here on campus.

Event Resources

Forum Recording

Podcast preview
Preview Interview

Before the event, DUNY business student Tommaso Falchi joined student-intern Juliana Battaglia and co-host Matt Schiering for a Spotify preview of his agentic AI platform.

▶ Listen on Spotify →

Who Presented
Alex Ruiz
Keynote: The Three Levels of AI Adoption
Alex Ruiz — Founder, Art X Machina

Alex walked attendees through how businesses evolve from basic automation to full AI integration — and what separates companies that experiment from the ones that truly transform.

 Full Bio

Alex Ruiz is a strategic leader and business builder who helps organizations move AI from a “trending topic” to a practical tool for growth. As the founder of ART X MACHINA, he works with both established companies and AI startups to turn new technologies into clear business strategies and everyday ways of working.

With over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, Alex has led multi-million-dollar portfolios for agencies and consultancies, overseeing strategic work for iconic brands such as Nestlé, American Express, and Anheuser-Busch InBev. He is known for his ability to simplify complex changes — whether helping a Fortune 500 company save $15 million through more efficient partnerships or building his own startup agency from the ground up and scaling it to $17 million in annual revenue.

Today, Alex focuses on “AI-readiness” — identifying where AI can solve problems, redesigning workflows to support human teams, and creating the playbooks needed to launch new products. He currently serves as a strategic advisor for AI platforms like MeetSynthia™, helping shape their product stories and launch plans.

A graduate of Cornell University, Alex served on the Cornell Dyson School Alumni Advisory Board and regularly returns to the classroom as a guest speaker to help students and business leaders navigate the future of work.

Tommaso Falchi
Live Demo: Agentic AI in the Wild
Tommaso Falchi — DUNY Business Student

Tommaso showcased his agentic AI-driven business platform, demonstrating live what it looks like when AI becomes an operational teammate inside a real business.

Gwen Daugs
Panel Discussion: Strategy, Ethics & What’s Next
Alex Ruiz & Gwen Daugs, Ph.D. — DUNY Philosophy

A moderated conversation on where agentic AI is heading, what businesses should avoid, and how our values need to keep pace with the technology.

Event Details
Date:
Monday, March 23, 2026
Check-In:
11:30 AM
Program:
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Location:
Granito Center of Dominican University New York
3 Campus Dr, Blauvelt, NY 10913