Welcome to the spring semester, one and all, whether you’re new to Queens College or are returning from winter break.
Some of us didn’t have much of a breather. The college operates on a year-round model now; we offered courses for winter session, providing opportunities for students to get ahead in their academic studies. Knights teams remained in action. The latest results will be available next week, when the QView resumes publication. Rumor has it that some friendly but keenly competitive faculty-staff volleyball games took place in FitzGerald Gym, with the possibility of more in the future.
|
|
On January 20, QC held its fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration of the great civil rights leader.
Edisa Weeks (Dance) presented the 2019 Martin Luther King, Jr. Special Award to Virginia Johnson (center), artistic director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and one of its founding members. I can’t say which was more thrilling: Johnson’s keynote or the dance troupe’s performance of standards from its repertoire, which ranged from classical ballet to a crowd-pleasing work choreographed to the music of Aretha Franklin and James Brown.
It was also my sad duty on that joyful occasion to announce to the packed theater the previous day’s passing of Vivian Charlop, the longtime director of Kupferberg Center. Her contributions to the growth of that vital cultural hub and to the vitality of cultural offerings throughout the borough are immeasurable. As I said then, keep her in your prayers as none of this would be possible without her energy and her vision.
Last week, the QC Art Center (Rosenthal Library, 6th floor) opened
Drawing the Line:
A Graffiti and Street Art Exhibition
.
Curated by Unfamous NY and the Queens Art Collective in conjunction with the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, this 1980s retrospective focuses on a genre that moved from subway stations to private collections.
|
|
On December 18, I was included among the honorees at
City & State
’s “2018 Responsible 100 Awards” event at Sony Hall in Manhattan. It was both gratifying and humbling to be recognized alongside people who contribute so much to New York
Early this month, I flew down to the Dominican Republic for a productive two-day conference that explored potential partnerships between universities there and here. I am always interested in exploring programs with educational institutions outside the United States that are of potential benefit to Queens College.
|
|
I join CUNY Interim Chancellor Vita C. Rabinowitz in commending Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for including the New York DREAM Act in his Executive Budget—and naming it after the late Senator and former Assembly member Jose Peralta. This is a fitting memorial for a proud QC alumnus who committed himself to assisting immigrants in numerous ways. And last week, the New York State Senate and the State Assembly passed legislation establishing the program, effectively enfranchising students who have earned their access to the State’s Tuition Assistance Program through academic achievements. CUNY officials testified on the proposed State budget in Albany yesterday before the New York State Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees. We will post a link to the testimony when it is available. Budget negotiations are expected to begin in earnest once the hearings on different subject areas are completed and as available revenues are agreed upon.
|
|
This past Sunday, I attended an alumni brunch in Delray Beach, Florida at which prominent author Susan Isaacs ’65 shared with attendees an excerpt from her forthcoming new novel, “It Takes One to Know One,” in addition to talking about her experience at QC and her career.
It was encouraging to see the nice turnout of our Florida-based alumni.
|
|
February is Black History Month, and it is most propitious that QC will host a conference on February 1 for “My Brother’s Keeper”—an educational initiative addressing the challenges faced by young men of color. New York State Regent Lester Young has accepted an invitation to speak to an audience that will include many students from New York City schools. The theme for the college’s month-long celebration is “Sankofa: Knowing the Past to Move Into the Future.” Sankofa is a word from the Akan people of Ghana.
|
|
I am looking forward to the program on February 25 where students share their recollections from “In the Footsteps of Dr. King”—where each year a QC student group journeys through the historic landscape of the civil rights movement in Georgia and Alabama guided by veterans of the struggle who worked with Martin Luther King Jr. Watch the QC homepage for information about a Black Business Expo to be held on campus on February 27 and “Our Story,” a celebration of art and artists from across the Caribbean, on February 28.
|
|
In the wake of recent storms, it’s hard to contemplate warm weather plans. Nonetheless, I can assure you that summer is coming. I’d like to remind everyone that Queens College offers the earliest summer registration of any school in the tristate area. QC’s four summer sessions give students the flexibility they need to advance academically, meet requirements for the Excelsior Scholarship or QC in 4, or take an elective in a subject of personal interest. I wish this opportunity had existed when I was in college. More courses are being offered than ever before and I urge all students—including those eligible for summer Pell grants-- to take full advantage of summer classes. For more information, go to
click here
.
|
|
I want to again thank our facilities operation, buildings and grounds staff, and public safety office for everything they do to maintain our safe and secure campus. Before you know it, spring will be upon us and warm weather will no longer be elusive. In the meantime, I wish you a successful and enjoyable semester.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
