University Plans Separate Graduate Commencement Ceremony Beginning in May

Separate commencement ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students will be held for the first time in University history. The new initiative will be launched this May and marks the first major change in the University’s commencement ceremony since individual recognition of the graduates was added in 1995.

Both ceremonies will be held on the same date, May 18, 2004. The commencement ceremony for undergraduate students will begin at 10:30 a.m., and will be held on Wightman Field; the rain date is May 19. The graduate ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Rec Center; there is no rain date.

The Commencement Committee, chaired by John Mason, professor of political science, has been charged with coordinating arrangements for the new ceremony. Additional details will be forthcoming.

Jane Zeff Named Director of Institutional Research and Assessment

Jane Zeff

Jane Zeff has been appointed director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (formerly the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation). She is responsible for providing accurate, useful and timely information about the University to decision makers at all levels, as well as leadership and support for research and assessment throughout the University. (More Information)

Alumni Lecture Series to be Presented at William Paterson University

An insider’s view on television and advice about how people can advance their careers are topics under discussion by three William Paterson University alumni at the Alumni Lecture Series on March 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas Martini Teleconference Center in Hobart Hall. (More Information)

University Hosts Seventh Annual Sister to Sister Conference

Sister Souljah

Sister Souljah, a community activist, lecturer and author, will present the keynote address at the seventh annual Sister to Sister Conference titled, “Acknowledging the Queen Within: Uplifting Ourselves By Conquering Our Fears.” The event will be held on Saturday, March 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Machuga Student Center at William Paterson University. (More Information)

William Paterson University Presents "Othello"

Othello presented by the Aquila Theatre Company

William Shakespeare’s classic play Othello will be staged at William Paterson University’s Shea Center for Performing Arts on March 22 at 7:30 p.m. The critically acclaimed Aquila Theater Company will present the play. (More Information)

Achievements

Stephen Bryant, music, will be the bass/baritone soloist for the Oratorio Society of New York’s performance of Mozart’s Requiem and Hayden’s Mass in the Time of War on March 4 at Carnegie Hall. This performance marks Bryant’s debut with the Oratorio Society…Arlene Holpp Scala, women’s studies, moderated a panel discussion which included two William Paterson women’s studies majors, Suzanne Mechanic and Christina Primerano, along with Meghan Murray ’04, at the Mid-Atlantic Women’s Studies Association Conference held at Susquehanna University. The panelists dicussed student activism since 9/11.

Sandra Deller Named Vice President
for Institutional Advancement

Sandra S. Deller

Sandra S. Deller has been appointed vice president for Institutional Advancement at William Paterson University following a national search. She is responsible for providing overall leadership, management and coordination of the University's fund raising, alumni affairs, public relations, marketing and publications programs. (More Information)

Jerome Kitzke is Guest for Annual "Composer-in-Residence Day"

Jerome Kitzke

Jerome Kitzke, a composer whose music celebrates the spirit of American vitality, combining various influences, including elements of driving jazz, Plains Indian song, and Beat Generation poetry, will be the guest for the annual “Composer In Residence Day” as part of a Midday Artist Series concert at William Paterson on Thursday,
March 11. (More Information)

Jazz Artist Pat Metheny Speaks to Students

James Williams (left) speaks with Pat Matheny

Pat Metheny, the Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist and composer, spoke to a standing-room-only audience of William Paterson music students during a special “Sittin’ In” session in Shea 101 on February 25. James Williams, associate professor of music and director of the jazz studies program, who hosted the session, has known Metheny since 1968 when they met as teenagers at a national summer jazz camp and developed a lifetime friendship.

“It is always a pleasure to be around young musicians who are excited about music,” said Metheny, who spoke extensively about his career, which began at age 15 when he started performing with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City. He became interested in jazz at age 12 when his older brother brought home a Miles Davis record. “In about five seconds, my life changed,” he said.

Metheny encouraged the students to have passion and enthusiasm for music, and to develop a personal sound and way of playing. “Writing your own tunes for the way you want to play can help you crystallize your concept of music,” he said. “It’s important to find your own voice.”

William Paterson University to Present "Tree Tales"

Tree Tales (Cuentos del Arbol) presented by The Pushcart Players

Tree Tales (Cuentos del Arbol), a delightful bilingual musical drawn from Spanish and Latin American folklore, will be staged on March 27 at 2:00 p.m. at William Paterson University in Wayne. Presented by the Pushcart Players, an award-winning professional theatre and arts-in-education company, the show will be held in the Shea Center for Performing Arts.
(More Information)

Kloss and McNamara Named Emeritus Faculty

In recognition of their years of dedicated service to William Paterson University, the Board of Trustees granted emeritus status to two retired faculty members at the February 21, 2004 meeting: Robert Kloss, professor, English; and Susan McNamara, professor, English.

Monahan Named NJAC Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year

For the third time in her 12-year coaching career, William Paterson’s Erin Monahan was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year. She also earned the honor in 1992-93 and 1995-96. (More Information)

Women’s Basketball Look Ahead

The Pioneers (17-10) made their first NJAC Tournament appearance since 2000 a memorable one. After overcoming Richard Stockton, 59-58, in the first round on Feb. 23, sophomore Allison Mopsick scored a career-high 27 points to lift her team past Rowan, 84-81, in the semifinals on Feb. 25. The Pioneers fell to The College of New Jersey, 66-55, in the championship game. Senior Kat McPhail (13.6 ppg), the team’s leading scorer, was named to the All-NJAC second team.

Swimming and Diving Look Ahead

Kristin Clegg

With her performances at the Metropolitan Conference Swimming and Diving Championships Feb. 20-22, sophomore Kristin Clegg qualified for the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships being held March 18-20 at Principia College in St. Louis. A 2003 All-American in the 100 backstroke, Clegg won her top event at the Metropolitan Championships and finished second in the 200 backstroke. In addition to those two events, she will compete in the 50 freestyle. (More Information)

Indoor Track and Field Look Ahead

Brad Gatens

Senior Brad Gatens set a school record in the 800-meter run at the New York Road Runs on Feb. 26 and qualified for the ECAC Championships being held March 5-6 at Tufts University in Medford, MA. He ran the 800 in 1:57.90. Gatens (one-mile run), sophomore William Bradley (weight throw) and senior Andre King (200 meters) each emerged victorious at the Seton Hall University Last Chance meet on Feb. 29.

Women’s Basketball Earns No. 2 Seed in ECAC Metro Region Tournament

Kat McPhail

The William Paterson University women's basketball team was awarded the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro Region Tournament and will host No. 7 Stevens Tech in a first-round game Wednesday, March 3, at 7:00 p.m. This is the Pioneers’ first playoff appearance since 1998. (More Information)

Men’s Basketball Season Over

Brandon Constantine

The Pioneers (16-11, 6-7 NJAC) ended their season Feb. 26 with an 85-72 loss to New Jersey City in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals. It ended the playing careers of five seniors, including guard Brandon Constantine, who was named to the All-NJAC second team last Thursday. He helped the Pioneers move into the semifinals by scoring a career-high 35 points in a 74-71 victory over Ramapo on Feb. 24. The senior graduates as the all-time leader in free throw percentage (89.1 percent, 179-for-201), including a school single-season record 89.7 percent (70-for-79) this year.

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.

March 3
Race & Gender Project Workshop: Carole Sheffield, political science, will lead a workshop on "Effective Strategies for Teaching About Sexual Violence," 2:00-3:15 p.m., Paterson Room, Cheng Library, x3062.

William Paterson University Toastmasters Club: Meeting, "Building Your Thinking Skills," 5:00 p.m., College Hall 312, contact Lynne Orr at x3021.

Philosophy Department Film Series: Orpheus, 7:00 p.m., Cheng Library Auditorium, x3028.

March 7
Friends of the Cheng Library: "George A. Tice Presents Retrospective of his Photography: 1953 - 2003," 2:00 p.m., Cheng Library Auditorium, reception to follow in the Paterson Room, $10 for public, $5 for WPUNJ faculty and staff, free to students and members of the Friends. Tickets available at the door, x2113.

March 9
Faculty Senate Meeting: Begins promptly at 12:30 p.m., and adjourns no later than 1:50 p.m., Science 200A, x2136.

Department of Languages and Cultures: Speakers, Maria Tajes, Spanish, and Angela Rodriguez, 6:00 pm, Paterson Room, Cheng Library. Refreshments will be served, x2516.

March 12
Spring Faculty Seminar: Ming Jian, Languages and Cultures, “In Search of Creativity: Gao Xingjian’s Soul Mountain," 3:30 p.m., Atrium 126, x2413.

March 17
William Paterson University Toastmasters Club: Meeting, "Strengthening Your Listening Skills," College Hall 312, contact Lynne Orr at x3021.

March 23
AFT Local 1796: Meeting, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., light lunch will be served, Machuga Student Center 203-5, x2988.

March 24
Philosophy Department Film Series: Bowling for Columbine, 7:30 p.m., Cheng Library Auditorium, x3028.

March 25
College of Education Research Colloquium: William Watley, the New Jersey Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development, will speak, 5:00 p.m., Valley Road 1012, x3134.

March 30
Faculty Senate Meeting: Begins promptly at 12:30 p.m., and adjourns no later than 1:50 p.m., Science 200A, x2136.

Chemistry and Physics: Charles Liu, Hayden Planetarium, and professor, College of Staten Island-CUNY, “Starburst Galaxies,” 12:30 to 1:50 p.m., Science 433, x3458.

March 31
William Paterson University Toastmasters Club: Meeting, "Speak Out," College Hall 312, contact Lynne Orr at x3021.

efocus March 1, 2004

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