In my second fall as president of Queens College, I have newfound appreciation for in-person meetings as well as online events that showcase the wonderful work done by members of our diverse and talented college community. |
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On Sunday, September 26, I joined a picnic the clinical psychology program held at Gantry State Park for students, faculty, and their families, dogs included. The program has been running virtually since March 2020 and remains primarily in that mode, so everyone was excited and happy to see each other. I much enjoyed hearing about the important research people are conducting on depression, ADHD, and other topics.
At left, foreground: President Frank H. Wu chats with student Katherine Chang and her dog.
Steven Bellone ’91, county executive of Suffolk County, accepted our invitation and visited QC on September 27 for a tour of campus, which has changed a lot since he studied here. Steve has had a long and distinguished career in Long Island government, paying particular attention to economic development and water quality. This was his first time back to the campus since he graduated. We look forward to Steve returning again to speak to students about his experiences in public service and managing a large government.
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From left: AVP for Governmental and External Relations Jeffrey Rosenstock and President Frank H. Wu stroll the grounds with Steven Bellone, county executive of Suffolk County. |
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What happens in Haiti and to Haitian immigrants is of tremendous consequence in New York City, home to one of the largest Haitian American communities in the United States. Francois Pierre-Louis (Political Science) assembled a tremendous panel on Wednesday, September 29—Jean Eddy Saint Paul (CUNY Haitian Institute), Leonie M. Hermantin (Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center), and Cécile Accilien (Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kennesaw State University)—for QC Africana Community Conversations: The Changing Tide in Haiti: Can the Diaspora Steer the Flow. The event was sponsored by Africana Studies with the support of the Mellon Foundation.
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While I’m on the subject of political science, I extend my warmest congratulations to Michael Krasner on being named a professor emeritus. Political Science Department Chair Pat Rachal, who has known Michael for many decades, read a moving testimonial to him at the college P&B meeting last month; I’m sharing it here and encourage you to read it.
With Hispanic Heritage Month continuing through October 15, I want to highlight upcoming events. Tomorrow—October 6—at 12:15, the Latin American Latino Studies-Political Science Speaker Series will present Mexican American Cultural Resistance in the U.S. Southwest, with Sara Hinojos (Media Studies; LALS Advisory Board) as moderator. The following day at 5 pm, Soribel Genao (ECP) and Norka Blackman-Richards (SEEK) will hold a livestreamed discussion of Reconciliation y Justicia: Beyond Latinx Inclusion for Solidarity. On Sunday, October 10, at 6 pm, Fidel Tavárez (History) will examine Latin American Independence 200 Years Later. The talk will take place over Zoom (Zoom ID: 836 7254 9098; Passcode: 805546). Next Tuesday, October 11, the Kupferberg program Off the Page will feature a conversation with journalist Maria Hinojosa. An award-winning novelist will be showcased on Wednesday, October 13, at 7 pm, when the Office of Student Development and Leadership will hold an Evening with Angie Cruz; to watch, go to the QC Student Life Youtube page. Thanks to all those involved in conceiving and organizing these programs.
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Reconciliation y Justicia |
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During October—Italian American Heritage Month—and a little beyond, QC’s John D. Calandra Italian American Institute is partnering with the Società Dante Alighieri NYC and the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York in commemorating the septicentennial of Dante’s death. Scholars will explore topics related to the poet and his work on three consecutive Wednesdays: October 20, October 27, and November 3. That last session is devoted to a conversation between Alessandro Barbero (Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale) and Anthony Julian Tamburri (Calandra). To learn more about these webinars, visit the Calandra website.
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Accomplished QC people are much in the news lately. Filmmaker Alex Rivera, who has taught in the Department of Media Studies, just received a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, becoming the latest member of our community to win the so-called “genius grant.” (The other QC honorees to date are Cristina Moreta Jiménez ’07, David Rudovsky ’64, Bright Sheng ’84, Elliot Sperling ’73, Eric Wolf ’46, and late Music Professor George Perle.) Rivera’s wife Cristina Ibarra, also a filmmaker, received her own MacArthur grant, making them the first married couple to be awarded simultaneously. |
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I recently attended a reception honoring alumna Daisy Cocco De Filippis on her appointment as president of Eugenio María de Hostos Community College in the Bronx. Daisy had been serving Hostos in an interim capacity since August 2020. She got her start at QC, earning a bachelor’s in Spanish and English literature and a master’s in Spanish literature here before going on to complete a Master of Philosophy in Spanish literature and a PhD in Spanish literature at the CUNY Graduate Center. You can read more about Daisy in this story from the 2018 issue of Queens magazine.
L to R: Thomas A. Isekenegbe, president of Bronx Community College; Cira Angeles, board member of the Nasry Michelen Foundation and CEO of L.A. Riverside Brokerage; President Frank H. Wu (back); President Daisy Cocco De Filippis; Juvanie Piquant, University Student Senate Chairperson, CUNY student representative and voting member on the CUNY Board of Trustees.
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Standing on ceremony behind CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez: (L to R) York College President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Kingsborough Community College President Claudia V. Schrader, Hostos Community College President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Guttman Community College President Larry D. Johnson Jr., Bronx Community College President Thomas A. Isekenegbe, Queensborough Community College President Christine Mangino, and City College of New York President Vincent G. Boudreau.
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As one of nine CUNY colleges selected to partner with the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, Queens College has been awarded $446,500 over three years to implement Blackstone LaunchPad (BLP), an entrepreneurial skills-building program. The Office of the Provost, Queens College Business School, and the Center for Career Engagement and Internships are spearheading this special initiative, which is open to students regardless of major. Who knows? A few years from now, BLP participants will surely found successful companies, creating employment and revitalizing neighborhoods. |
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Meanwhile, the college will hold its customary events to celebrate outstanding students and faculty. The Academic Excellence Ceremony will take place Thursday, October 14, at 6 pm, honoring Dean’s List Students, Provost Scholars, and Presidential Scholars for academic 2020-2021. It will be held at Colden Auditorium. The first 500 to respond were allowed to include one in-person guest. The proceedings will be livestreamed for the benefit of guests, faculty, and staff. On Monday, November 1, I will have the opportunity to recognize full-time and adjunct faculty from each of QC’s schools with excellence in teaching awards. The event, which will also be livestreamed, will be held in Colden at 3 pm. In-person attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. I will deliver a “State of the College” address and hope you will reserve the date and join me on this occasion.
Let me close by again thanking the dedicated faculty, staff, students and alumni of Queens College who continue to meet the educational and health challenges impacted by the pandemic with such care, perseverance, and patience.
I wish all of you a most productive and successful semester. It is an honor to serve as your president. Stay safe and well.
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