William Paterson University Observes African Heritage Month

Lectures, plays and musical events support the theme of “History in the Making: Contemporary Black Issues,” during William Paterson University’s month-long observance of African Heritage Month. Other events for the month include a play focusing on the philosophies and times of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, as well as a night devoted to the sounds of jazz music. (More Information)

Challenges Facing Minority Faculty is Topic of Faculty Book and Creative Lecture Series

Differences in age, gender, and race combined with changing financial, social and political climates on campus are among the topics to be discussed in a lecture on Wednesday, February 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Sharmila T. Ferris, associate professor of communication, will present the lecture as part of the Faculty Book and Creative Lecture Series sponsored by the Office of the Provost in the Cheng Library Auditorium.

Ferris’s address, “Issues and Challenges Facing Minority Faculty in Today’s University,” will consider issues facing minority faculty and the unique challenges found in the workplace due to differences in age, gender, race, religion, physical abilities and sexual orientation. She will identify and propose strategies to aid in the successful transition into the academic world. The presentation is based on her recent book Beyond Survival in the Academy: A Practical Guide for Beginning Academics.

For additional information, please contact Ferris at x3338.

Halcyon Trio to Perform in Midday Concert

The Halcyon Trio

The Halcyon Trio, which has consistently won rave reviews for their energetic performance style, emotional depth, interesting repertoire, and immaculate ensemble playing, will perform at William Paterson University in Wayne on Thursday, February 5, in Shea Center on campus as part of the University’s Midday Artist Series. The program begins at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $3. (More Information)

William Paterson University Graduate Student to Exhibit Life-Sized Oil Paintings of Family Residing in Madison, NJ

Kimanne Smith, who received a master of fine arts degree at William Paterson University on January 25, presents an exhibit of 14 life-sized oil paintings of a contemporary African American family in the Power Art Gallery from January 20 through February 12, 2004. (More Information)

High Mountain Symphony to Pay Tribute to Musical legends at William Paterson University

William Paterson’s High Mountain Symphony, under the artistic direction of orchestra conductor Paul Hostetter, will perform a collection of artists’ famous works on Saturday, February 21 at 8:00 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts. (More Information)



Achievements

Renee Pevour, nursing, received the Trustee Leadership Certificate from the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NJHPCO). She is a former NJHPCO board chairperson. The award was presented at the organization’s annual awards dinner in November…Larry Clow, Beacon/Pioneer Times, was selected for a news reporting and writing fellowship from the prestigious Poynter Institute for Media Studies this summer. Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, the institute is a school for journalists, future journalists and teachers of journalism…Bernadette Scott, junior, communication, received a 2004 New Jersey Press Foundation internship and scholarship. She was assigned to an internship at the Asbury Park Press in Neptune.

Mid-Year Commencement Celebrated

Kyung Park with his family after the mid-year commencement ceremony

The extreme cold weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of the 915 new graduates who received their degrees on Sunday, January 25, a day on which the mercury did not rise much above 15 degrees.

The graduates and their families, many of whom had attended the Senior Send-Off the evening before, an event sponsored by the Young Alumni Chapter of the University’s Alumni Association, filled the bleachers in the Rec Center on campus.

President Arnold Speert addressed the graduates. He urged the graduates to become informed and active citizens.

“Armed with your education, you are empowered to participate in shaping the vision of your family, your place of business, your town, our state and our nation,” he said. “In order to do that effectively you need to remain informed and committed to making a difference.”

Martin Hahn (left), professor of biology, assists Thomas Owusu, assistant professor, environmental science, with his robes before the commencement ceremony.

“What you choose to do as an individual will have a greater effect on your family, your neighbors, and your friends than decisions from Washington or Trenton. Those decisions depend upon our involvement as citizens in order to be effective.” He cited the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case that 50 years ago this year outlawed racial segregation in public schools as an example of how laws need people to cause change.

“As the May 17 anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education approaches, you will hear and see more about the Brown decision,” he said. “It provides us with a chance to look at the intent and implications of law and events and their consequences to our citizenship. Fifty years later…we still live in neighborhoods and foster school systems that are for the most part segregated by socio-economic status if not by race.”

“Supreme Court or State of New Jersey decisions establish precedent but it is our actions that foster change,” he said. “I hope your degree is linked to a greater responsibility to establish and function within communities that enhance your--our--potential to be productive.”

Senior Class President Daniel Kreifus

Senior class president Daniel Kreifus advised the graduates to “give something back to the world…take an hour a week, an hour a month, anything you can spare…do something for someone to make their world a better place…volunteer, donate, or simply offer a hand to someone who tripped…you never know the impact you can have on another person until you try.”

New Exhibits on View at Ben Shahn Galleries

Jim Toia (second from left) helps students work on the wooden bird-feeders for the "Piet Project."

Three new exhibits are on view in the Ben Shahn Galleries through March 5. In the Court Gallery, sculptor Jim Toia presents a site-specific installation that uses the University’s campus as a resource. “Shakespeare Speaks,” a one-person exhibit of prints and sculpture by Brooklyn artist Debra Pearlman, is on view in the East Gallery. The South Gallery features “American Impressions,” a juried exhibit of prints by artists from across the United States. A reception for all three exhibits will be held on Sunday, February 15 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Galleries.

Women’s Basketball Look Ahead

Erin Monahan

In addition to having her young Pioneer (11-8, 6-3 NJAC) team primed for its first NJAC Tournament invitation since 2000, 12th-year coach Erin Monahan is nearing the 200-win mark. Currently 197-87, she could achieve the milestone at home against Rutgers-Camden (Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6:00 p.m.) if the Pioneers can defeat New Jersey City at home (Monday, Feb. 2, 6:00 p.m.), and The College of New Jersey on the road (Saturday, Feb. 7, 1:00 p.m.). Junior forward Adrienne Kopko (9.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg) has been a consistent force, including a 10-point, 14-rebound effort as her team overcame a 19-point deficit in the final 13 minutes to knock off Rowan, 52-50, on Jan. 24 at the Rec Center.

Men's Basketball Look Ahead

Brandon Constantine

The Pioneers (13-8, 4-5 NJAC) are currently second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference’s Blue Division and on track to earn a berth in the conference tournament. Crucial contests loom against The College of New Jersey (Saturday, Feb. 7, 3:00 p.m.) and Rutgers-Camden at home (Wednesday, Feb. 11, 8:00 p.m.). They will rely on seniors Brandon Constantine (15.5 ppg) and Khayri Battle (12.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) to jumpstart an offense that struggled in recent losses to Montclair State and Manhattanville.

Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Look Ahead

The Pioneers hold their final three meets of the season: After traveling to Montclair State (Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6:00 p.m.), they host The College of New Jersey (Saturday, Feb. 7, 1:00 p.m.) and Mount St. Mary (Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7:00 p.m.). The latter meet is the program’s Senior Day, which means that four men’s swimmers and divers (Scott Goldstein, Jim Oriscak, Dame Pletvarec and Christopher Wirt) and five women (Jennifer Baldwin, Lauren Ciulla, Carrie Ann Egan, Kathleen Olivieri and Stephanie Vella) will participate in the final meet at Wightman pool. The men (8-1) have won seven straight meets, while the women (7-4) have won two of their last three times out.

Welcome to efocus Update

efocus Update is a forum for all faculty and staff wishing to post notices of events for the University community, and replaces our e-mail newsletter WPUpdate.  Please send your e-notices
of events to efocus@wpunj.edu for publication every two weeks.

February 3
Department of Chemistry: 12:30 - 1:50 p.m., Science 433, Zafar Iqbal, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, NJIT, “Carbon Nanotubes: One of the Shining Stars of the Emerging Nanotechnology Revolution,” x3458.

February 8
Catholic Campus Ministries: "African Heritage Month," Mass and celebration as part of Universality Night series, 7:30 p.m., CCM Chapel, x3524.

February 10
Faculty Senate Meeting: Begins promptly at 12:30 p.m., and adjourns no later than 1:50 p.m., Valley 1016, x2136.

February 17
AFT Local 1796: Meeting, 12:30 - 1:45 p.m., Machuga Student Center 203-5, x2988.



February 19
Women’s Center/Women’s Theater Company: Presents two benefit performances of The Vagina Monologues on Thursday February 19, 2004 at 12:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Hunziker Blackbox Theater. Tickets will cost $5 for WPUNJ students, $7 for faculty and staff, and $10 for the public. For information, call x 2946. (More Information)



February 21
High Mountain Symphony at William Paterson University: "Myths and Legends," conducted by Paul Hostetter. The program includes Beethoven's Creatures of Prometheus, Rodion Schchedrin's fantastical arrangement of Carmen for strings and percussion, Sibelius's Valse Triste from "Kuolema" and Stravinsky's neo-classical masterpiece Pulcinella, 8:00 p.m., Shea Center. Tickets are $25 standard, $20 for seniors, $8 for those 17 and under. To order tickets, call the Shea Center Box Office, ext. 2371.

February 24
Faculty Senate Meeting: Begins promptly at 12:30 p.m., and adjourns no later than 1:50 p.m., Machuga Student Center 203-4-5, x2136.

efocus February 1, 2004

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