E-Newsletter
Volume 7, No. 5 |
May/June 2009 |
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 Welcome to our monthly E-Newsletter, an overview of news and activities at ECC. We encourage you to learn more about our College by going through the rest of our web site. |
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President Yamba Announces his Retirement
At the April 21 Essex County College Board of Trustees meeting, President A. Zachary Yamba announced his retirement, effective December 31.
County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo noted, Dr. Yamba not only made Essex the premier community college in the state of New Jersey but has gained the respect and admiration of all who know him. The college will sorely miss his presence.
Math Awards for ECC Students
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At the March 29 Garden State Undergraduate Mathematics Conference & Competition in Monmouth University, ECC’s team placed 12th among 35 teams. In addition, two of our students, Tianyu Zhou (Chemistry) and Oscar G. Victorero (engineering), ranked ninth and sixteenth respectively out of 90 participants from largely four year colleges, such as Princeton, Rutgers, NJIT, The College of New Jersey, University of Scranton, and Seton Hall University. The conference was sponsored by the National Science Foundation and The Mathematics Association of America.
Victorero and Zhou also won second place and third place respectively in the 2009 Schloming Math Prize Exam held by ECC’s Division of Mathematics and Physics in April. First place was taken by Jin Wang (Architectural Technology). We wish our students continued success in such future competitions.
PTK Scholarship from Rutgers
ECC sophomore Jozun Yasumura (Liberal Arts) has just been awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Scholarship of $16,000 by Rutgers University for two consecutive years of baccalaureate study at the university. The scholarship is in recognition of his high achievements at ECC; Yasumura is set to earn his Associate degree in summer 2009.
NJ Council of County Colleges to Honor ECC Students
At the annual Phi Theta Kappa Day celebration on May 11, organized by the NJ Council of County Colleges, two ECC students will be honored: Bao Duong and Sebastian Medina. They will be among the 34 best and brightest of the state’s community college students “recognized for their outstanding academic achievement and exceptional service to their communities as members of PTK.”
New STEM Grant Will Create Learning Centers in the Sciences
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ECC has received a new two-year $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to increase enrollment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and strengthen student achievements in these fields. The program is set to start in Summer 1 2009 term and continue through the Fall 2010 semester.
A computer Learning Lab and Tutorial/Study Center modeled after MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement Center) will be set up in Room T122 and an instructional Computer Classroom will occupy Room T105, all in ECC’s Center for Technology. Another Computer Classroom will be set up in Room 3100H in the megastructure. The grant will also fund upgrades to the MESA Center.
The core component of the program is the creation of “learning communities” consisting of linked Introductory Math and Science courses. Two recitation sessions will be run every week for every learning community over the life of the grant. Instructional assistants and peer tutors (comprised of second year STEM majors) will be available to help students with their work. Selected students will receive tuition and textbook assistance. For further information, contact Professor Donald Yee , Program Director at (973) 877-3528.
Available Scholarship programs
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The Research and Development Council of NJ is sponsoring $1,500 scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Nursing majors. Eligibility criteria include: completion of at least 12 credits at a New Jersey community college. Scholarships are based on financial need and can be applied to tuition and books. Application deadline is May 30, 2009. Click here to download the PDF application form.
For information on other scholarship programs, go to the ECC website and access the STEM program (Scholarship segment) under Division of Engineering Technologies and Computer Sciences. You can also access the site by clicking here (http://eccstem.org/awards.aspx)
ECC’s 2009-10 Budget
On April 9, the Essex County College Board of School Estimate (BSE) met to set the County’s portion of the budget for the College for fiscal 2009-10. The BSE approved County appropriations of $11,850,000 in operating support; $550,000 in capital funding for equipment, renovations, and books/media; and $1,250,000 in Chapter XII matching capital funding. The $11,850,000 in operating support represents level funding with last year.
Registration for Summer and Fall
Web registration is ongoing through July 9 for Summer II and through September 11 for Fall 2009. The Summer II term is from July 8 through August 18 and the Fall semester commences September 8. Returning students are urged to register online via Web Services to avoid long lines.
Wolverines Capture Long Jump Title at Penn Relays
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Mathias & Ruddock |
Sophomore Sasha-Kay Matthias won the Eastern Long Jump title at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia. The international event is held annually at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Matthias, who will transfer to Texas A&M University this fall, had a top leap of 19 feet, 9.75 inches to win the title by an inch during the competition. She then finished 13th out of 24 competitors in the Eastern Triple Jump.
Sophomore Natasha Ruddock turned in her best time, 13.30 seconds, in the preliminaries of the 100 meter high hurdles. In the finals, she came in fourth with a time of 13.39 seconds. Like Matthias, Ruddock will also attend Texas A&M this fall.
ECC is Sad to Announce the Passing of Two Professors
Professor Ogretta Hawkins passed away on April 25. She joined the college 40 years ago, on August 25, 1969, and retired on August 31, 2008. She left an indelible mark as a favorite teacher and mentor in the division of Humanities. Many of her students went on to earn accolades for academic excellence and writing prowess, especially in the field of multicultural studies. As an active member of the Raritan Valley chapter of Links, Inc., a service organization, she had chaired an arts initiative that provided scholarships and showcased the works of African-American artists. The college was proud to have her serve as the Grand Marshal for the graduating Class of 2006.
Biology Professor Odette A. Gindi-Takla passed away on April 26 due to complications associated with diabetes. Mrs. Gindi-Takla was an adjunct faculty member for the past nine years in ECC’s Biology and Chemistry Department and was well respected by her students and colleagues. She had been a physician in her home country of Egypt, and in the U.S., she had passed the exams and credentialing to begin a residency for becoming a licensed physician. She was also in the process of completing her Master’s in Public Health at UMDNJ.
Our sincere prayers go out to the families of both professors.
Alumni News
Shonda Green (Class of 2005) has been selected as a recipient of Seton Hall University’s 2009 Japanese Language Study Award at the university. The award is in recognition of her “excellent performance of Japanese Language study during 2008-09.” Shonda has also been accepted to Middlebury College to attend its Japanese language program in the summer of 2009.
Nadene Reid (Class of 2007) will receive her baccalaureate from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations on May 24. In the Fall of 2009 she will be attending law school at Georgetown University with a $90,000 scholarship for three years of academic study at the University.
Romane Olivier (Class of 1998) is working as a Project Engineer for Joseph M. Sanzario Inc. in Hackensack. His current project involves resurfacing various streets in Jersey City. Olivier obtained his baccalaureate at NJIT after graduating from ECC’s Civil Construction Engineering Technology program. While at NJIT (as a part-time student), he also worked for the construction firm Vollmer Associates before moving to his current job. He intends to pursue an M.S. in engineering management and begin the process of obtaining a P.E. license.
Andy Alleyne (Class of 2004), also a Construction Engineering Technology graduate, obtained his B.S. in the same discipline at Old Dominion University in 2006. Following his bachelor’s degree, Mr. Alleyne earned his Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate and then secured a position at Weeks Marine, Inc. in Cranford, NJ where he worked on the construction of a marine facility in Louisiana. He then earned a Master’s in Infrastructure Planning from NJIT’s School of Architecture in 2008. Currently, he is employed by Piermont Iron Works, Inc. in Wayne, where he prepares cost estimates for structural steel projects.
Ahmed-Tijani Agwedicham (Class of 2006) will be graduating this year from NJIT’s Mechanical Engineering program. This high honors graduate from ECC’s Engineering program did research work at NJIT which resulted in the publication of joint papers in professional journals. He has been accepted by several graduate programs including the Ph.D. program in Material Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana– Champaign. While at ECC, Agwedicham had participated in a summer research program at Stevens Institute of Technology under a NASA grant.
Joseph Macchione (Class of 2007) received an A.A.S degree in Construction Engineering Technology from ECC and is currently attending NJIT in its Construction Management Technology program. He expects to graduate next year. Currently, he is a NJ/NY Department of Transportation certified plant operator at North Bergen Asphalt Products, LLC. He belongs to Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.
Junior Police Academy
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The Essex County College Police Academy is accepting applications for its annual Junior Police Academy the week of July 13 at the academy in Cedar Grove. The program is for boys and girls ages 13 through 16. Hands-on activities will be augmented with lectures and presentations including a physical training component.
Tuition is $100 for the five-day program. Registration and additional information is available by calling Captain Lori Apicelli at 973.877.4354. June 19 is the registration deadline.
The junior academy curriculum touches on such topics as introduction to criminal justice, the juvenile justice system, fingerprinting and identification, K-9 demonstration, gang awareness and identification, drug awareness, Internet safety, first aid, arson, and fire safety. More information on the Police Academy is available at http://www.essex.edu/pacademy.
Summer Youth Programs
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ECC will hold its annual summer youth program at the Newark campus from July 6 to August 14 for children about to enter first grade to high school students. Another annual youth program will be held July 6 to August 7 at the West Essex campus for children 10 to 15 years old.
Young people can choose from a variety of programs designed to be educational as well as recreational. Offerings vary by location. They range from reading and math enrichment classes, learning about computers, graphic design, arts and crafts, making video games, chess challenge, science in a nutshell, sports and games, and more. Field trips will include visits to museums, science fairs, and amusement parks.
The faculty is comprised of experienced professionals trained in working with youngsters. For detailed information on the program at the main campus, click here and also attend the mandatory Program Orientation on Wednesday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m. and/or call (973) 877-3079. For details on the West Essex program, go to http://www.thesummerprogramforkids.com/ and attend the information night on May 19 or June 2 in the West Essex campus Multipurpose Room, or call (973) 877-1920.
April & Early May Events
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Upcoming ECC Events
ECC’s 40th Anniversary Mardi Gras Celebration |
May 1 |
Mary Burch Theater and Main Dining Hall, Main Campus |
27th Annual Spring Fashion Showcase |
May 2 |
Physical Education Building |
Information Night for Summer Program for Kids |
May 5, May 19, June 2 |
Multipurpose Room A |
Student Life & Activities Award Ceremony |
May 5 |
Multipurpose Room |
Physical Therapist Assistant Pinning Ceremony |
May 6 |
4th Level Multipurpose Room |
Athletics Sports Awards Banquet |
May 7 |
4th Level Multipurpose Room |
SGA Appreciation Dinner |
May 7 |
Essex Room |
Essex County Executive’s Task Force to End Homelessness |
May 8 |
4th Level Multipurpose Room |
Human and Social Services Award Ceremony |
May 13 |
Main Dining Hall |
S.E.E. Essex County Services Employment Expo Job Fair |
May 14 |
Physical Education Building |
Latino Open House (Recruitment and Marketing) |
May 15 |
Siegler 2132 |
EOF Graduation Banquet |
May 15 |
Manor at Branch Brook Park |
Senator Lipmann Saturday Seminar |
May 16 |
4th Level Multipurpose Room |
Professor Richard Alston in Concert in Maplewood, Classical Songs of Love for the Piano |
May 16 |
The Ethical Culture Society of Essex County, 516 Prospect Street, Maplewood |
Nursing Pinning Ceremony |
May 19 |
Mary Burch Theater |
Dean of Student Affairs Awards Ceremony for Graduates |
May 20 |
Mary Burch Theater |
Student Support Services Awards Ceremony for Special Programs |
May 21 |
Main Dining Hall |
West Essex Advisory Board Graduates Reception |
May 26 |
Student Lounge |
ECC Board of Trustees Meeting |
May 26 |
West Essex Campus |
Finding a Job Seminar |
June 9 |
Student Lounge |
For more information, call (973) 877-3208 or (973) 877-6637 for main campus events and (973) 877-1903 for West Essex Campus events.
Contact Information
This newsletter is prepared by the Office of Publications and Production in cooperation with the Office of Public Relations. Comments and suggestions are most welcome. Please address them to Dr. Lekha Keister at lkeister@essex.edu.
