Share your fondest memories on our Alumni website!
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Alumni Night at the Art Gallery will be held on Friday, September 9th for the opening of Memoir: 9/11, artist Ultra Violet. Email Fran McDonald or call the Alumni Office, (718) 281-5144 to make your reservation.
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| Own a piece of Queensborough's history with Queensborough at 50: Celebrate the Memories book with a minimum $50 scholarship donation! |
| Establish a permanent presence at your alma mater with Queensborough's Alumni Brick-Naming opportunities! |
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In case you missed the performance of the Broadway musical hit, All Shook Up, by the National Touring Company at Queensborough’s Performing Arts Center (QPAC), you can tune in on Thursdays, July 14th or the 28th at 6:00 pm on QPTV on your local cable channel. The story is set in 1955 and tells of a hip-swiveling guitar player who falls in love with a young girl who dreams of a more exciting life in the big city. It features wonderful music based on several Elvis Presley songs. See QPTV
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The 24th Annual Partners for Progress Gala held on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Terrace on the Park celebrated the first anniversary of Queensborough’s Edge for Success fundraising campaign that has enabled scores of deserving students to continue their education, achieve their academic goals and pursue their dreams... READ MORE
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2011-2012
QCC Alumni Association
Members of the Cabinet
Cheryle Levine '75
President
Amiel Singer '71
Vice President
Elpha C. Frederick Farrier '06
Treasurer
Christine Porter, R.N.
Secretary
Steve DaSilva, '07
Lorraine Engenito '90
Michael Kalkin, '62
Doris Mullgrav-Mason, '00
Emil V. Parrinello, '84
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Become a
QCC Alumni Fan! |
Women’s Basketball
CUNY Athletic Conference Champions
Eight (8) Outdoor Track Athletes named All-Americans!
Read about other recent highlights here. |
Upcoming College Events
Learn about Queensborough's performances, exhibits, latest newsmakers and other events at http://events.cuny.edu |
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History and Cultural Diversity Define Summer and Fall Events at QCC
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 The cultural and fine arts offerings at Queensborough Community College begin this month and continue throughout the 2011-2012 academic year. The widely varying styles and personalities of artists represent a global community of Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, Italian American, Caucasian, and African American backgrounds. Some exhibits will pay homage to the profound historical events of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries while others feature performers who will bring to light the life-affirming joy of theatre.
Three major openings at the QCC Art Gallery will begin in July through February 2012:
- The first, 30 Ecuadorian Painters Working in New York, features over 100 vibrant paintings and works of art celebrating nearly 200 years of independence in Ecuador. (July 22-August 26, 2011)
- In Memoir: 9/11, artist Ultra Violet—once the muse of Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol—will display her avant-garde sculptures and paintings as a tribute to the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. (September 9-October 21, 2011). Opening night, Friday, September 9th, is Alumni Night at the Art Gallery.
- Representing the complexities and mysteries of human relationships, artist WenZhi Zhang will display her compelling life-sized ceramics in Duality: Bronze and Stoneware. (September 9, 2011-February 3, 2012)
The Kupferberg Holocaust Center is displaying Music in Hell, a visual and audio history—via iPad apps and panels—of Jewish prisoners striving to keep hope alive by playing musical instruments in the ghettos and camps during World War II. (Through September 2011)
 The performance calendar at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center (QPAC) continues the theme of diversity. Audiences will marvel at the roster of stars! The curtain goes up with Let’s Hang On! The Premier Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Tribute Show. (Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.) Joan Rivers, the iconic comedian, award-winning actress, and television host will address fans with her timeless phrase “Can we talk?”as sheshares her hilarious perspective on celebrities, politicians, current events, and more. (Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.) Jose Porcel’s Campañia Flamenca adds heat to the season with his troupe of passionate Spanish dancers. (Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.)
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Greetings From the President |
This past academic year has been both swift and successful, shining in areas across the board including scholarship, artistic achievement, student and faculty excellence, and fundraising.
During the summer—a season that offers the College community a brief interlude between Commencement and the start of the fall semester—I hope you will not only take advantage of our new shows but also stop by to appreciate our prized permanent collections. The QCC Art Gallery boasts a critically acclaimed African art collection that encompasses the full range of ceremonial and practical objects produced on the African continent. Three-dimensional exhibits, interactive screens, and powerful artwork are housed in The Kupferberg Holocaust Center, a magnificent architectural achievement. As part of the College’s mission to take learning beyond the classroom, our students regularly conduct research, study, and serve internships at all of our cultural beacons.
Many of these same students became graduates at Queensborough’s 50th Commencement Ceremony in June. This year, nearly 2,000 students earned their Associate and Certificate degrees, their starting place for rewarding careers and a better life for themselves and their families. Several of Queensborough’s award-winning graduates were selected—along with graduates from other CUNY colleges—to be featured on CUNY’s exclusive homepage banner, Pride of the City. Please take a moment to read their inspirational profiles.
In addition, members of our esteemed faculty have received recognition in the areas of service learning and innovation.
Transitional Services for New York, Inc.—an organization which helps people with mental disabilities to lead meaningful lives—collaborated with Queensborough’s Service Learning Program and the Nursing Department to display works of art in the loggia of the QCC Art Gallery. Also, the Student Wiki Interdisciplinary Group won the 2011 Innovation of the Year Award by the League for Innovation in Community Colleges.
On the fundraising side, we raised over $3,319,000 in cash and in-kind donations to the QCC Fund, Inc. that is at the heart of funding scholarships, enriched student programs, the QCC Art Gallery and the Kupferberg Holocaust Center. From the QCC Fund, we were able to give our students 123 scholarships and 182 awards during the year amounting to $186,500. The 24th Annual Partners Gala in April alone raised over $270,000 which drew over 400 guests. The honorees were Liu Tee Shu, President, Flushing Chinese Business Association; Nancy Aber Goshow, AIA, LEED, AP, Managing Partner, Goshow Architects, and Dr. Sheena Gillespie, Professor Emerita and longtime Chairperson of Queensborough's Faculty Executive Committee and our English Department. In addition, the Walk to Aspire, our student grassroots fundraiser for scholarships last November, raised over $17,300 and I thank all of you who gave to the Alumni Team effort - we invite you to participate again this fall and join us for a fun afternoon of celebrating on the QCC track on Wednesday, November 16, 2011.
The standard of excellence at Queensborough would not be possible without a strong foundation on which to build. As alumni you have played a vital role in the successful history of the College and will always be an integral member of our community. I look forward to reading additional Alumni Profiles and know that you all have a great story to share! Please continue to communicate with us on the Facebook fan page and I hope to see you at our many wonderful exhibits and events.
Best wishes for an enjoyable summer,
Dr. Diane B. Call
Interim President of Queensborough Community College
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Alumni Profile
James O. Ortiz, '62, Ph.D.
President of Southern Maine Community College
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A Legacy of Leadership in Community College Education
Dr. Ortiz, ’62, president of Southern Maine Community College (SMCC), is a member of an exclusive club at Queensborough—the very first graduating class.
He recalls, “There was no actual campus back then except for the Oakland Golf Course and Country Club building. It was a fascinating experience to have been a freshman taking college courses at the nearby elementary school—and I must admit the seats were a bit small!”
Despite the unusual circumstances, Dr. Ortiz realized he was part of something special. A liberal arts major, Dr. Ortiz describes the faculty—one social science professor, one political science professor, and two English professors— as “devoted, knowledgeable instructors who provided generous amounts of interaction and mentoring.” As a result of their skilled guidance he developed a passion for sociology and political science.
| "Early in my tenure, as I began to deal with the perception of private universities verses community colleges, I remembered my vision of Queensborough as a quality institution that is equal to or better than a large private university," said Dr. Ortiz |
Dr. Ortiz grew up in Manhattan where he attended Commerce High School before he moved to Queens. “As the first in my family to graduate from high school, I did not consider college as part of my future until a teacher strongly encouraged me to apply to Queensborough.”
Dr. Ortiz noted that the community colleges within CUNY were regarded as equals in quality to the senior colleges. He noted that when he transferred to Hunter College, it was taken for granted that he was attending a sister CUNY College where all of his credits were accepted.
During this period, Dr. Ortiz pursued a career as a social worker and worked for two years as a community organizer, representing the Welfare Department of New York City, located at the time in East Harlem. He also worked at the Bureau of Child Welfare.
Dr. Ortiz received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Hunter College and went on to earn a master’s degree in social work in community organization from New York University and a doctorate of education in policy and administration from Boston University.
“At the time I did not have a thought of going into education,” said Dr. Ortiz.
Eventually, higher education became a keen interest. His extensive professional background includes posts as Director of Academic Support Services at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, Massachusetts; Dean of Academic Affairs at Columbia Green Community College in Hudson, New York; Executive Dean of Educational and Student Services and Professor of Sociology at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York; and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston.
Dr. Ortiz was named president of SMCC (then Southern Maine Technical College) in 2002 and is credited with transforming SMCC into a comprehensive college system that is well respected throughout the state of Maine.
“Early in my tenure, as I began to deal with the perception of private universities verses community colleges, I remembered my vision of Queensborough as a quality institution that is equal to or better than a large private university,” said Dr. Ortiz, who will retire from SMCC on July 29, 2011. “That formative experience, in addition to my own professional background in community colleges, helps keep SMCC student-centered and reinforces a unique bond I have with our student body.”
He added, “Although the mindset toward community colleges in the United States has been uneven over the decades, I have observed a gradual turn-around in the past fifteen years. Certainly President Obama’s support is a tremendous boost to progress in this area, and I believe his endorsement has triggered a sea change in attitude.”
Among Dr. Ortiz’ legacies are establishing SMCC as the fastest-growing college in New England. Under his leadership the college has grown from 2,850 students to over 7,000 students. To accommodate the increasing student population, SMCC is expanding to include a second campus, located at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, which will emphasize the academic areas of technology and engineering. The new campus is scheduled to open in January 2012.
His current projects include authoring a paper on the relationship between economic development and community colleges in the areas of health science and manufacturing.
Dr. Ortiz resides on the SMCC campus in South Portland, Maine. |
Alumni Profile
Larry Shulman, '74
Founder and President
LMS Technical Services, Inc. |
 Larry Shulman, ’74, loves to sail on his 40-foot Catalina, fly his remotely controlled airplanes—he used to be a private air pilot—and manage his successful business, LMS Technical Services, Inc., which has thrived for nearly thirty years despite the rocky economic climate.
“We stay competitive by keeping our finger on the pulse of new technology and marketing while providing our core services such as repairing communications networks as well as computer systems,” says Larry, who manages the company with his wife, Bobbie.
Larry’s talents in this area were discovered when he enlisted in 1970 during the draft for the Vietnam War. Military officials realized he had a special aptitude for math and when the draft ended before he was sent to Vietnam, Larry decided to enroll at Queensborough.
| "The education I received at Queensborough has helped me all my life. In fact, I am the proudest guy alive because of the choice I made to go there." Larry Shulman, '74 |
He majored in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET) and after his first year followed the trend of other community college students and transferred to a four-year CUNY school for a brief period.
“I was the first of my friends to go from a four-year college—in this case Queens College—back to a two-year school. I did not fit into a traditional engineering program and missed the freedom to pursue electronics the way I had at Queensborough.”
Larry goes on to explain that “there was a common thread inside the ECET Department, a common self-sufficiency. We knew we could explore our interests, and the faculty encouraged us to pursue our passions and goals.”
He adds, “The education I received at Queensborough has helped me all my life. In fact, I am the proudest guy alive because of the choice I made to go there.”
Larry is asked regularly to be a guest speaker on topics related to his business and meets many people who went to Queensborough and had positive experiences.
When asked what skills he considers important for young people entering the workforce today, Larry says, “learn to write, speak, and reason— but also have some technical expertise and know how to solve the root causes of everyday problems, whatever they may be.”
Larry, who grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens, lives happily in Dix Hills, Long Island, with his wife, Bobbie, and their eight children, Sandi, Lindsay, Scott, Brittney, Brielle, Brandi, Cassie, and Justin, . . . and his dog, Oreo.
We hope you enjoyed reading these Alumni Profiles and welcome ideas and suggestions for future profile candidates, including yourself! Contact Fran McDonald, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations, at fmcdonald@qcc.cuny.edu or at 718-281-5144. |
24th Annual Partners Gala, April 28, 2011
Women Honorees Lauded at Event
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Honorees and event hosts represent knowledge and expertise in a wide range of areas.
From Left: Nancy Goshow, AIA, LEED AP, Founder and President of Goshow Architects;
Liu Tee Shu, President, Flushing Chinese Business Association; Dr. Sheena Gillespie, a long-time faculty member (retired) and former Chair of the Faculty Executive Committee, (retired); and Gala Chair Charlotte Biblow, Esq., a Partner of the Law Firm, Farrell Fritz, P.C. Ms. Biblow, who previously served as Secretary of the QCC Fund Board, Inc., will serve as Treasurer, effective July 1, 2011.
Proclamations were presented to honoree Liu Tee Shu, President, Flushing Chinese Business Association, who has established an endowed scholarship in her father's name to the QCC Fund, Inc., as a leadership grant for the Asian community to join her in an effort to support Queensborough Community College.
From Left: Rosemary Sullivan Zins, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Queensborough Community College; Peter Tu, Executive Director, Flushing Chinese Business Association; Ling Chun Chu, Liu Tee Shu's father, Liu Tee Shu, President, Flushing Chinese Business Association and Dr. Diane B. Call, Interim President of Queensborough Community College.
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer of The City University of New York, Allan H. Dobrin (4th from left) and his wife Lynda Dobrin (2nd from left) joined the hosts for the evening, the members of the QCC Fund Board, Inc. who are standing left to right: Dr. Dan Marcus, Ocelia Claro, Dr. Sandra Delson, Norm Bigman, '62, Peter Campanella, Chair, Ira Futterman, '63, former Chair, Pearl Halegua, Dominick Bruccoleri, Susan Wong, guest, and Ruth Bigman.
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Queensborough's 50th Annual Commencement Ceremony, June 3, 2011
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Queensborough graduates who exemplified outstanding scholarship, community leadership and the promotion of cultural diversity were recipients of the 2011 Commencement Awards.
From left: Yasmin Obriwala, '11, The President's Award and The Associate in Science Achievement Award; Zachari Yoder, '11, The Thomas R. Jennings Memorial Award; Dr. Diane B. Call, Interim President of Queensborough Community College; Sanh Kha, '11, The Joseph McMurray Award and The Col. John C. Lackas Award; Andre Simms, '11, The President's Award; Hia Abdelqader, '11, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Award
Not pictured: Denise Sanchez, '11 The John F. Kennedy Memorial Award
Gathering on the President's terrace are left to right: Andre Simms, '11 and Yasmin Obriwala, '11; Wellington Chen, Vice Chancellor for the Board of Trustees at CUNY; David Weprin, New York State Assembly Member; Dr. Diane B. Call, Interim President of Queensborough Community College; John Liu, New York State Comptroller; Peter Tu, Executive Director, Flushing Chinese Business Association; Hia Abdelqader, '11, Zachari Yoder, '11, and Sanh Kha, '11
A sea of smiling graduates of the Class of 2011
Sharing a jubilant moment with Dr. Diane B. Call, Interim President of Queensborough Community College, Sadie B. Fields, a Dean's List student and the most senior member of her graduating class, received a Certificate in Day Care. |
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Culture and Fine Arts on Campus
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Not to Miss Exhibits and Events!
Imagine listening to a full orchestra playing a classical symphony in the crowded Kovno ghetto in the 1940’s. Or picture how Jews formed a musical troupe while hiding in the forests of Bielorussia. Through visual and audio means, Music in Hell, on exhibit at the Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Resource Center and Archives through September of 2011, examines the scope of the musical activities that existed before during and after the Holocaust. In October of 2011, You too Must Befriend the Stranger will open to tell the story of the Albanian national attitude of social responsibility known as Besa. When Italy invaded Albania, the Albanians hid the Jews from the Nazis.
 Let’s Hang On! The Premier Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Tribute Show, will pay homage to one of the greatest vocal groups of all time on Sunday, September 25, 2011, at 3:00pm. The show, backed by a live band, features the songs Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, and many more hits! $35 all seats, $31 mini-series, $29 full-series
Joan Rivers, with special guest Dick Capri, is an entertainment legend—comedienne extraordinaire, Tony-nominated actress, Emmy-award-winning television talk show host, jewelry designer and red carpet fashion diva. In 2009, she starred in NBC’s hit reality series The Celebrity Apprentice and is currently host of E! Fashion Police and star of the reality TV show Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best? For mature audiences only on Sunday, October 9, 2011, at 7:30pm. $45 all seats, $41 mini-series, $39 full-series
Three Mo’ Tenors have received rave reviews and are now coming to QPAC. This musical event brings the house down with performances of Opera, Broadway, Jazz, Motown and Blues music. As part of the Great Performances series on PBS, this production is an extraordinary musical event seen most recently at the Little Shubert Theater on Broadway.
Sunday, October 16, 2011, 3pm
Orchestra: $40 regular, $36 mini-series, $34 full-series
Rear Orchestra/Mezzanine: $35 regular, $31 mini-series, $29 full-series
Jose Porcel’s Compañia Flamenca is a flamboyant dance troupe, showcasing the passion of the Spanish people. This company, among the premier dance troupes in its native country of Spain and around the world, features a combination of live musicians, vocalists and extraordinary dancers. Sunday, October 23, 2011, 3pm
Orchestra: $42 regular, $38 mini-series, $36 full-series
Rear Orchestra: $39 regular, $35 mini-series, $33 full-series
Mezzanine: $35 regular, $31 mini-series, $29 full-series
 A power-packed line-up of exhibitions will take place at the QCC Art Gallery beginning in late July. 30 Ecuadorian Painters Working in New York will display more than 100 abstract paintings and sculptures celebrating nearly 200 years of the country’s independence. The show, a group exhibition made possible by some of the most acclaimed artists in South America, will Open Friday, July 22 and run through August 28).
Artist Ultra Violet, muse of the late iconic artists Salvadore Dali and Andy Warhol, has made her mark in the art world with avant-garde, three-dimensional works and paintings. Her latest exhibit, Memoir: 9/11, features bold, dramatic and poignant pieces reflecting the tragedy of September 9, 2001. (September 9, 2011 thru October 21, 2011)
Also Opening on September 9, 2011, WenZhi Zhang will display Duplicity: Bronze and Stoneware, beautiful life-size ceramics representing the human condition in its many forms.
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