As the semester winds down, I write with updates and information that you may find of interest. Since my last communication, I have been engaged in a number of important activities.
My week began with a lengthy pair of meetings related to athletics. On Monday morning, I participated in a three-hour Zoom with the East Coast Conference, the home for most of our Division II athletics programs. The presidents of the nine constituent members met with Commissioner Jessica Grasso to discuss membership status and the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics. We reviewed our financial statements (receiving a clean audit), the impact of transfer portal, as well as name-image-likeness policies (the latter formed the basis of a two-hour meeting with NCAA President Charlie Baker that afternoon) and the viability of new, emerging sports (including Women’s Flag Football). It was an interesting series of conversations and foregrounded the accomplishments of many within our Dolphin family of student-athletes: this year saw one of our divers, Yubal Parra, earn NCAA All-American honors and this week saw diver Jacqueline DeFranco earn her second weekly conference award from the NE-10 (where we are an affiliate member). Congratulations to Yubal, Jacqueline, and to swimming and diving coach Mike Ackalites for these acknowledgments!
The week also saw important meetings with the heads of both Richmond University Medical Center (Dan Messina) and Staten Island University Hospital (Meagan Sills) to discuss ways in which we could build on our relationships to better serve our communities, our respective institutions, and, especially, our students. The opportunities for community health programs, internships and clinical placements, research partnerships, and employment opportunities abound, and I am hopeful that we can continue to leverage these relationships to our mutual benefit. Speaking of health-related programs and activities, on Tuesday, I was thrilled to be invited to our Physical Therapy Department’s Clinical Symposium on Breast Cancer, where I saw teams of students present on their findings related to this important topic. I learned much from the presentations, especially regarding the role that hands-on, experiential learning and applied research plays in the lives our students. Many thanks to Professor Jean-Philippe Berteau for the invitation to attend, and to the other DPT faculty for the mentorship they provide our students. It was an exceptional set of presentations and Q+A sessions!
On Tuesday, following the monthly consultation with the College Council Executive Committee, where we discussed the state of facilities projects (which will be covered more fully at next week’s meeting), hiring trends; and other matters. I was pleased to attend a Holiday Affinity Group Mixer where representatives from several affinity groups (including the Alumni Association, Friends of CSI, Foundation Board of Directors, and Association of Retired Professors) gathered to usher in the holiday season. It was great to hear from Student Government President Ashley Villalva about how these groups make meaningful impact on the lives of our students: from generous scholarship support to mentoring and networking that allows for internships and introductions to prospective employers. As demonstrated by our recent Giving Tuesday successes and our ongoing Season of Giving campaigns, the value of higher education as a public good has not been lost on those who have paid it forward so graciously. (Consider making a year-end gift to help us meet our $250,000 goal! We are almost there!)
Thursday saw one of the highlights of our academic year, with the annual Convocation and celebration of service. It was an opportunity to reflect on many of the accomplishments of the previous calendar year and to acknowledge the ongoing contributions of the employees who make it all possible. While we celebrated all those with five-year increments of service, it was amazing to honor Professor Alfred Levine (Engineering and Environmental Science) for his 55 years of dedication to CSI and the students we serve! Congratulations to all, but especially to Alfred! The event then moved to our annual holiday party, and with this weekend’s onset of Hanukkah, I wish all who celebrate a festive and joyous Festival of Lights with your families and loved ones.
.Until next time,
Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D.
