CCNY Aids Haitian Earthquake Victims
The City College is extending a helping hand to victims of last month’s massive earthquake in Haiti that has claimed some 200,000 lives. In addition to donations of food, clothing and other essential items, The College’s relief effort includes grants to Haitian members of CCNY’s student body who were impacted financially by the disaster. Some 253 Haitian students are registered at the College. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti, who suffered a devastating earthquake on Tuesday, January 12, and with members of the Haitian diaspora around the world,” said CCNY Interim President Robert E. Paaswell. Wendy Thornton, Executive Manager of Student Services and Conduct in the Office of Student Affairs, said donations of food, water, toys, clothing, toiletries and items such as sheets and sleeping bags could be dropped off in the Harris Hall lounge. The Student Services Corporation in NAC 1/210 is collecting monetary donations while CCNY’s Wellness and Counseling Center is offering group counseling sessions to students impacted by the earthquake, in NAC 1/217A. Call (212) 650-6951 or 8222 for more information on the counseling sessions. A memorial service for earthquake victims is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, February 11, in The Great Hall. For more on CCNY’s Haiti relief efforts visit: http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/facultystaff/Haiti.cfm. CUNY-wide information is available at: http://www1.cuny.edu/mu/helphaiti/important-links-and-information/
Powell Conference Examines Inclusion in Green Economy
A February 10 conference at The City College of New York (CCNY) will examine the critical issues of education and workforce training needed to leverage the green economy. The event, presented by the Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies and sponsored by the New York Life Endowment for Emerging African-American Issues, will highlight issues of inclusion that minority populations and communities face in tapping the potential of a sustainable future. Titled “Our World 2030: Preparing a New Generation for a Sustainable Future,” the conference runs from 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in CCNY’s Great Hall. It is free and open to the public; however, pre-registration is required. The conference will emphasize New York City’s particular challenges and opportunities in transforming the economic and educational outlook through 2030. That is the year when today’s youngest generation will begin to enter the workforce. “New York City is ideally poised to take advantage of the forecast employment growth in the sustainability sector,” said Walter Houston, 2009-2010 New York Life Leader-in-Residence at the Colin Powell Center. “However, hurdles stand in the way of full minority participation.” More on this story.
Harlem Is Focus of Health Commissioner’s February 17 Lecture
Dr. Thomas Farley, New York City Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene, will deliver The President’s College and Community Lecture 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, in The Great Hall. His topic will be “Take Care New York 2012: Building a Healthier Harlem.” The lecture is free and open to the public. Take Care New York 2012 is an action plan for individuals and families, health care providers, community organizations, businesses and government to make New York City healthier. It sets ambitious goals to improve children’s health, improve neighborhoods by strengthening access to affordable healthy foods and safe housing, and diminish health disparities among New Yorkers of different races, ethnicities and income levels. In his talk, Dr. Farley will not only touch on the Take Care New York initiative, but also discuss city policies to reduce health disparities and some of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s initiatives to create healthier environments for New Yorkers. Prior to the lecture, he will meet with CCNY students, faculty and members of community-based organizations for a discussion on how these groups can support Take Care New York’s goals and initiatives currently underway at The College. More on this story.
Bioethicist to Deliver President’s Lecture, February 23
Bioethicist Thomas H. Murray will deliver the Third Annual City College of New York President’s Lecture 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 23, in The Great Hall. He will discuss “Why We Play: Ethics, Drugs and the Future of Sport.” The lecture is free and open to the public. One of Dr. Murray’s many areas of expertise is the ethics of enhancing or expanding normal human ability through non-therapeutic interventions like drugs or gene therapy, an area of extreme importance in this Olympic year. Dr. Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hastings Center, was formerly Director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics in the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, where he was also the Susan E. Watson Professor of Bioethics. He serves on many editorial boards, has been president of the Society for Health and Human Values and of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities. Among his other current posts, he serves as Chair of the Ethical Issues Review Panel for the World Anti-Doping Agency and as International Expert Advisor to Singapore’s Bioethics Advisory Committee. Based in upstate New York, The Hastings Center is the foremost independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit bioethics research institute in the nation.
CCNY Biologists Identify New Spiny Pocket Mouse Species
Dr. Robert P. Anderson, Associate Professor of Biology at The City College of New York, and Ph.D. student Eliécer E. Gutiérrez have reported the existence of a new species of spiny pocket mouse, from Venezuela, Heteromys catopterius. The name derives from the Greek katoptêrios, which means a “height that commands a view.” It was chosen for the new species in reference to its presence on four wet, mountainous forest regions of the rugged and steep-sided Cordillera de la Costa along the country’s northern coast. “Most people are surprised to learn that new species of mammals are still being discovered,” Professor Anderson said. “Sometimes they are discovered based on genetic work, but this is a case where anatomical studies made it clear a species existed that had never been recognized by biologists before.” Several features differentiate the Overlook Spiny Pocket Mouse from the more common Heteromys anomalus, known as the Caribbean Spiny Pocket Mouse. H. catopterius has darker fur and lacks the distinctly rounded ears of H. anomalus. In addition, its skull is wider and less elongated. The Overlook Spiny Pocket Mouse is found in elevations ranging from 350 to 2,450 meters above sea level, although mostly above 700 meters. In contrast, H. anomalus resides mostly in lowlands and lower elevations of the mountains of the region. More on this story.
Junior Luisirene Hernández Receives Travel Grant
Luisirene Hernández, a junior majoring in biochemistry at The City College of New York (CCNY), is one of 13 students nationwide selected to receive a Minority Travel Award to attend the Biophysical Society’s 54th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. During the meeting, February 20 – 24, she will present a poster “Obtaining Functionally Relevant Protein Structural Transitions Using a Combined Physics/Structure-Based Coarse Grained Model,” and be honored at a reception February 20. Working in the lab of Dr. Marco Ceruso, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Ms. Hernández investigated the conditions under which a computer simulation technique called ELNEDIN could more readily identify functionally relevant directions of conformational change in large protein structures. ELNEDIN, which was developed by Professor Ceruso and colleagues in the United States and the Netherlands, combines an elastic network with a physics-based coarse-grained force field. She also investigated how modifying the topology of the elastic network affects the dynamic behavior of ELNEDIN models. The thrust of the research is to study how well changes in behavior of protein structures can be reproduced, Professor Ceruso explained. Noting that coarse-grained models have limitations, he pointed out that “Luisirene’s research tries to understand the comfort zone for how long the model can predict changes.” More on this story.
Book Talk Lecture Series Returns To CWE
The City College of New York (CCNY) Division of Interdisciplinary Studies, in collaboration with W.W. Norton & Company, presents the second installment of its successful “Book Talk” Lecture Series, February 1 through May 10. The lectures, which present prestigious CUNY and Norton authors, and cover such vital topics as health, American law, transportation, globalization and nature, take place at CCNY’s Center for Worker Education, seventh floor, 25 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. “Book Talk continues to bring some of the best and most recognized authors in the country to the Center,” said Dr. Juan Carlos Mercado, Dean of the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies. “We are delighted to have W.W. Norton & Company collaborate with us on such an important lecture series.” CCNY Interim President Dr. Robert E. Paaswell inaugurated the series February 1 with a lecture on “Current Issues in Transportation Planning.” Other notable speakers include Norton authors: David Biro, M.D., author of “The Language of Pain: Finding Words, Compassion,” and “Relief;” Richard Conniff, author of “Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals;” Jon Jeter, author of “Flat Broke in the Free Market: How Globalization Fleeced Working People;” Fred Strebeigh, author of “Equal: Women Reshape American Law,” and Jennifer Cody Epstein, author of “Painter from Shanghai.” More on this story.
Exhibit Highlights Diversity of U.S. Latino Communities
The United States’ Latino population, 35 million strong according to the 2000 Census, is a diverse mixture of people bonded by a common language, but with roots in different parts of the Western Hemisphere. “Latinos in the U.S.: ¡Presente!,” a new exhibit at The City College of New York (CCNY), highlights the diverse Latino immigrant groups that have contributed to this rapidly growing Spanish-speaking demographic. It opens February 8 and runs through June 10 in the CCNY Cohen Library Atrium. “This exhibit documents the continually rewritten migratory landscape of this country from the Latino perspective,” said co-curator Sarah Aponte, Professor and Head Librarian at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Archives and Library. Daisy V. Dominguez, Reference Librarian at CCNY’s Cohen Library and the other co-curator, pointed out that “Latinos in the U.S.: ¡Presente!” traces the historical and contemporary presence of an estimated 20 different Latino immigrant groups in the United States. “It does this by highlighting the experiences of some native and Afro-Latino groups and also by showing not necessarily the most numerous populations but some who are potentially unknown,” Ms. Dominguez said. For more information on the “Latinos in the U.S.: ¡Presente!” exhibit, please call (212) 650-7271. More on this story.
Center for Worker Education Hosts Hip-Hop Conference
“Is Hip-Hop History?,” a two-day conference to examine the current state of the music genre and subculture and its future outlook, will be held February 19 – 20 at The City College of New York (CCNY) Center for Worker Education (CWE). Approximately 200 persons, including hip-hop scholars, performers, entrepreneurs, journalists and activists, are expected to participate in the event, which will address such issues as the over-commercialization of hip-hop, hip-hop media going digital and hip-hop activism. The conference, part of the CWE’s celebration of Black History Month, is being held in conjunction with a course being offered at the center for students in CCNY’s Division of Interdisciplinary Studies. “For over 25 years, the Center for Worker Education has provided a dignified environment and a high-quality education for working adults seeking bachelor’s degrees,” said Warren Orange, who teaches the course and is co-organizer of the conference. “CWE students are predominantly Black and Hispanic, female, 25-54 years of age, and hail from the communities that not only gave birth to hip-hop, but continue to be its most consistent muse.” More on this story.
Spring Architecture Lectures Explore Green Design
The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at The City College of New York (CCNY) will present the Sciame Spring Lecture Series – 2010, titled “Crossing Boundaries: Explorations and Expressions.” The series, which presents talks by prominent, award-winning architects, runs eight consecutive Thursdays, February 11 through April 8. Lectures begin at 6 p.m. and are held in the Spitzer School’s Sciame Auditorium. “The series focuses on green design and the importance of breaking down artificial boundaries between architecture, landscape architecture and the various engineering disciplines involved in developing projects,” explained George Ranalli, Dean of the Spitzer School of Architecture. The lecture series is sponsored by F.J. Sciame Construction Co. Inc., a New York construction management firm owned by CCNY alumnus Frank J. Sciame. More on this story.
Spitzer School Presents Exhibit of Jose Oubrerie
The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture (Spitzer School) presents an exhibit on the works of noted French architect and author Jose Oubrerie. It debuts on February 16 and will be on display through May 14. The exhibit will feature Oubrerie’s best-known works, the Church of St. Pierre in Firminy, France, and the Miller House in Lexington, Ky. This is the Spitzer School’s first exhibit to feature the work of an outside architect. It will be displayed in the Spitzer School’s exhibit gallery located in the central atrium. In addition, The School is producing the book on Oubrerie’s work that will feature many photos and drawings of the two buildings. It will be published by Oscar Riera Publishing and is also made possible by a generous donation from Elise Jaffe + Jeffrey Brown. Mr. Oubrerie, who now teaches in the United States, is the last living protégé of Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, aka Le Courbusier, the French architect considered one of the pioneers of modern architecture. The Gallery will be open to the public 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday. The Spitzer School is located at 141 Convent Avenue in Manhattan. More on this story.
New CWE Exhibit Space to Showcase Emerging Artists
PowerHouse Projects and The City College of New York Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Center for Worker Education (CWE) have announced that they will pioneer new exhibition space in the Center’s Lower Manhattan campus at 25 Broadway. Dubbed “The Halls at Bowling Green,” the new space will show the work of emerging contemporary artists in service to CWE students and the downtown community. “The Halls is a fantastic incubator for curators to develop exhibitions that will get 2-D work like drawing, painting, photography, video and assemblage out of the ‘white box’ gallery environment and in front of a more varied public,” said PowerHouse Projects Director Astrid Persans. “We’re excited to be working with the Center for Worker Education on such an innovative project. In the process we get to take part in the broader artistic revitalization going on downtown, so we feel like there’s plenty to be thrilled about.” CWE Dean Juan Carlos Mercado concurred. “The Center for Worker Education is really focused on giving people not just the technical tools, but also the cultural capital they need to move up in the professional labor force,” he said. “The Halls at Bowling Green is one more way to achieve this, and showcase broader resources within the CUNY system in the process, as well.” More on this story.
Lt. Gov. Ravitch Establishes Engineering Scholarship
The City College of New York has announced that a scholarship in honor of James L. Lammie, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. (PB), has been endowed by Richard Ravitch, the Lieutenant Governor of New York. Parsons Brinckerhoff is a global planning, engineering and program and construction management organization. Mr. Ravitch served as a member of PB’s Board of Directors for 15 years before resigning upon being appointed Lieutenant Governor in July. The James L. Lammie Leadership Scholarship at The City College will be given annually, beginning in 2010, to a civil engineering student in The Grove School of Engineering who exemplifies outstanding scholastic and leadership potential in the field of civil engineering and public infrastructure support. “Of all the people I’ve known and worked with during a long career in business and government, Jim Lammie stands out as an extraordinary leader,” said Mr. Ravitch. “My hope is that this scholarship will give a City College student the opportunity to emulate Jim’s achievements and integrity.” Mr. Lammie retired as Chairman of Parsons Brinckerhoff in October, 2009. He was on the Board of Directors for 20 years, serving as Chairman in 2008-2009. More on this story.
Model U.N. Brings 650 NYC High School Students to Campus
For the second year running, City College will host the UNA-USA’s Global Classrooms® New York City Model U.N. Conference February 27 in The Great Hall. The all-day event, which begins at 9 a.m., is expected to draw more than 650 students from public high schools throughout the city. They will take on the roles of “delegates” of United Nations member states in order to debate current issues on the U.N.’s agenda. Students will simulate sessions of various U.N. bodies, including the General Assembly, U.N. Environmental Programme and the Security Council. They will discuss a wide range of issues, from sustainable development of mega-cities to religious intolerance that affect people around the globe. Among Global Classrooms’ major supporters are CCNY alumni Josh Weston, ’50, who is a UNA Board Member, and Stanley Plesent, ’48. Based in Manhattan, the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people.
Irwin Dambrot, ’50, CCNY Basketball Legend, Dies
Irwin Dambrot, captain and star forward of City College’s history-making 1950 NIT and NCCA championship basketball team, died January 21 in Union County, New Jersey. He was 81 and cause of death was complications of Parkinson’s disease. Born in New York, the 6'4" Mr. Dambrot attended CCNY after graduating from William Howard Taft High School in the South Bronx. In his senior year, he led Coach Nat Holman’s Beavers to an upset victory over top-ranked Bradley in the 1950 NIT finals at Madison Square Garden. Ten days later, CCNY defeated Bradley again at the Garden for the NCAA title, and Mr. Dambrot was named MVP in the NCAA tournament. CCNY's double championships were chosen late last year as the greatest college basketball moment in Madison Square Garden history. The following year, he and several teammates were arrested in a point-shaving scandal. He pled guilty to a misdemeanor and received a suspended sentence. In his 98 games with CCNY, Mr. Dambrot scored 977 points. The New York Knicks drafted him in 1950, but he passed up a professional basketball career to become a dentist. In 1994, he and the rest of the 1950 Beavers were named to the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.
Architecture School Professor Norval White Dies at 83
Norval White, a founding member of the faculty of the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture and an expert on the architecture of New York City, passed away December 26 at his home in Roques, France. He was 83. Professor White joined the architecture faculty in 1968 at the invitation of Founding Dean, Bernard P. Spring, from Cooper Union, where they had been colleagues. He served as the first Chair of the new architecture department and retired from the faculty in 1996. “Professor White brought a wealth of knowledge about New York City to CCNY. His insights helped frame the mission of the school and its commitment to the future of New York,” said Lance Jay Brown, Distinguished Professor of Architecture, who not only was Professor White’s colleague at CCNY but his student at Cooper Union. Outside the classroom, Professor White is remembered for his role as co-author of the “AIA Guide to New York City,” the most complete book that “covers the city’s five boroughs neighborhood-by-neighborhood, street-by-street, building-by-building commenting on shops, restaurants, theatres, parks, squares and buildings of historical and architectural interest.” He completed work on a new edition, in collaboration with CCNY Assistant Professor of Architecture Fran Leadon, just 11 days before his death. Among his professional commissions was One Police Plaza, headquarters of the New York Police Department, which Professor Brown called a “monument to civic architecture.”
From the President
Although nearly a month has past, we reminded daily of the terrible toll in life and property that resulted from the earthquake that struck at the heart of Haiti, and the resilience of the Haitian people. Members of the College community have collected money, clothing, toiletries and other items needed to help survivors rebuilt. The College has made special efforts to reach out to our Haitian students, who number in the hundreds, to see what assistance they need to continue their studies, and the Wellness and Counseling Center has set up special counseling sessions..This Thursday, February 11, members of the College community will gather for a service to remember the victims and reflect upon this terrible tragedy. It is our hope that better days are in store for this tiny country, whose history has too often been marked by sorrow.
Separately, there are two important lectures later this month that I hope to see you at. On February 17, New York City Commission of Health and Mental Hygiene Thomas Farley will speak on "Take Care New York 2012: Building a Healthier Harlem" Noted bioethicist Thomas Murray delivers the Third Annual City College of New York President’s Lecture Tuesday, February 23, in The Great Hall. His topic will be "Why We Play: Ethics, Drugs and the Future of Sport."
Robert E. Paaswell
Interim President
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