2004-2005 Archive

June 2005

	A degree of difficulty Neither the dark clouds that filled the sky above her nor the chilly breeze that swept through the air could put a damper on Sophia Tamezian's day. [full story]

	CSI graduation: Pomp and circumstance, boos and hisses Best-selling author Erica Jong was booed and told to "Shut up!" and "Go Home!" during her 40-minute speech yesterday at the College of Staten Island's commencement exercises. [full story]

	Correctional facility inmates graduate business program Jaffar Abbas' business plan is to cater to the needs of the nation's prison population. "I'd sell things like boots, or these sneakers -- a real bargain at only $29," Abbas said pointing to his purple and white sneakers by Michael Jordan. After 23 years in prison, "I've gotten to know what everybody needs," said Abbas, who hopes to be paroled in 2007. [full story]

	Of CSI, Italy and the Island When Erica Jong headlines the College of Staten Island's graduation ceremonies tomorrow as the school's commencement speaker, students will hear from a world-renowned novelist, essayist and poet. From a cultural icon whose wit and candor enlightened and instructed a generation in the throes of a sexual revolution. (See "Fear of Flying," 1973.) From a woman whose satire and social commentary continue to instruct. From a romantic whose love affair with Italy makes her feel like something of an honorary Staten Islander every time she sets foot on these shores. From -- wait a minute -- an honorary Staten Islander? [full story]

	CSI nursing graduates pledge to ease suffering, preserve life Graduates of the highly regarded College of Staten Island nursing program, embarking on challenging careers, made a solemn pledge in front of family and friends yesterday to treat each patient with compassion, dignity and respect. [full story]

May 2005

	Are Island schools underachieving? Although Staten Island schools consistently outstrip citywide results on standardized exams, the raw numbers do not tell the whole story. [full story]

	YMCA will honor 3 leaders Dr. Marlene Springer, Dr. Richard Guarasci and Walter Coughlin will be recognized as outstanding members of the community at the 25th Annual Awards Brunch of the Staten Island YMCA Counseling Service in Eltingville on June 12. [full story]

	Graduates will have fine example to follow It's interesting to learn that the College of Staten Island (CSI), Willowbrook is the largest urban university in the country. Its 204-acre modern campus is the largest in New York City, and includes picturesque surroundings. Its facilities are among the most up-to-date of any college. [full story]

	Collegians find internships help their future Stephen Depasse's internship last summer with JPMorganChase, Manhattan, clinched his future. [full story]

	Quiles steals show at CSI awards banquet Melissa Quiles was caught by surprise after winning three plaques last night during the annual athletics awards banquet at the College of Staten Island. [full story]

	For ex-Willowbrook residents, fight never ends Bernard Carabello vows to keep fighting to improve services for people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. [full story]

	High school to get view of the world Students won't hear high-pitched, military-style bells on the hour or teachers beseeching classmates in the hallways to remove headphones and do-rags. They won't exit their school onto busy streets to stand elbow-to-elbow with their friends in packed public bus shelters. [full story]

	CSI rallies to capture CUNY crown The College of Staten Island needed a dramatic four-run rally in the top of the ninth inning to defeat New Jersey City 5-4 and capture the school's third consecutive CUNY Conference baseball tournament championship yesterday at NYSEG Stadium. [full story]

	Novelist Erica Jong to speak at CSI graduation Novelist Erica Jong will be the commencement speaker at the College of Staten Island’s 29th graduation ceremony on June 2, the college has announced. [full story]

	What she did for love Famous painters -- Cezanne, Cassatt, Renoir, even Matisse -- are hovering over the current exhibition at the College of Staten Island Gallery, a showcase devoted to a virtual unknown. [full story]

	Rita Ray does it all How many teens do you know who are looking to cure diseases at the age of 15? Before I met Ritapa Ray, I didn't know any. Now I know one. [full story]

April 2005

	Pro football stars to appear on the green The College of Staten Island (CSI) Foundation will host its fifth annual "CSI Alumni and Friends Golf Outing" on May 6, at the South Shore Country Club in Huguenot. [full story]

	Some signs are just clearly obscure Simon Cheng, co-proprietor of The Washboard laundry shop in West Brighton, pointed to his new sign, "We open 7 days," and said with a laugh, "We ARE open seven days! Is that the proper way of saying it?" [full story]

	Paycheck primer Whether it's as a camp counselor, clerk, lifeguard or tutor, the summer job remains a rite of passage for many teenagers, a time when the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer become a thing of the past and working for a dollar begins to take precedence. [full story]

	Cyberspace dance connection Nothobile Ndokweni was dancing passionately. The big-boned African woman, dressed all in white with a white head wrap, had given herself over to the liberating rhythms of her South African homeland. [full story]

	College Fair planned for Wednesday at CSI Bridges to Success, the Brooklyn-Staten Island 2005 Collegiate Job Fair, will be held Wednesday in the Sports and Recreation Center of the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook. [full story]

	Passover rituals explained at CSI seder The conversation got lively when the maror came out during an interfaith Passover seder hosted by the Multi-Faith Center at the College of Staten Island yesterday. [full story]

	Latest census data: We are the world The next time you’re out shopping for groceries, walking the dog or boarding the Staten Island Ferry, stop and take a look around. According to the U.S. Census, the people who’ll look back at you may well hail from distant lands. [full story]

	Music ‘angel’ smiling on CSI campus Some curse the dark decline of cultural enthusiasm and curiosity. Others say little and whip out their checkbooks. At the College of Staten Island, retired English professor Michael Shugrue isn’t making noise. He’s quietly underwriting concerts on the Willowbrook campus. [full story]

	Steel drums, straw hats In less than one hour, the Center Court in the Staten Island Mall was transformed into a Caribbean paradise. [full story]

	Differing views of stem-cell research With the winds of change blowing, a panel of doctors offered College of Staten Island students differing perspectives on the controversial topic of stem-cell research yesterday. [full story]

	Town hall meeting is all about issues Staten Island officials met with the community and covered a slew of issues last night —from traffic to NASCAR to the proposed fourth police precinct — during a town hall meeting in the College of Staten Island Willowbrook. [full story]

	Former neo-Nazi leader addresses CSI students A former neo-Nazi leader tried to recruit students into a life of respect and tolerance at the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook yesterday. [full story]

March 2005

	Celebrate Caribbean style at the Staten Island Mall The center court of the Staten Island Mall in New Springville will be transformed into a tropical oasis for an entertaining night at a Caribbean Casino on April 3 from 7 to 10:30p.m. [full story]

	Students serve as interns at Chamber The Chamber maintains an active intern program for Staten Island high school and college students. [full story]

	Holland's 'Cinema Suitcase' unpacks at the CSI gallery The cheese stands alone. The rest of us do our best to form alliances and connections. How we fail or succeed at connecting is the theme of “Cinema Suitcase Unpacked,” an entertaining show of videos and photographs shipped this month from Holland to the College of Staten Island. [full story]

	Pour unclaimed bottle-deposit money into environmental fund, advocates say Students and environmental advocates rallied at the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook yesterday to urge state lawmakers to amend the bottle bill so unclaimed bottle deposits would accrue to the state Environmental Protection Fund. [full story]

	Legislature's budget plans could reinstate $4.4M in aid to CSI Gov. George Pataki will get a second chance to funnel nearly $4.4 million to the College of Staten Island. [full story]

	Blues, Brahms & beyond Last things first: The final sound at violinist Diane Monroe’s recital this past weekend at the College of Staten Island was a pure, fiddle strain - sweet, thin and evocative. It’s the grace note of Victor Steinhardt’s “Sonata Boogie,” a 1986 showpiece. [full story]

	Monroe: Out for new blood Famously versatile violinist Diane Monroe has deleted a couple of words from her every day vocabulary, namely “serious” and “classical.” [full story]

	CSI ceremony hails opening of polymeric research center “Polymers” is the buzzword in chemistry circles. Now, faculty and students at the College of Staten Island have the capability to conduct high-tech research in the field, thanks to the new Center for Engineered Polymeric Materials (CePM) on the Willowbrook campus. [full story]

	Cache me if you can Eric Dietrich and Ryan Eanes crunch across snow, barrel through branches and halt to obey their digital treasure map. [full story]

	Like Lindsay like Mike? The liberal Republican mayor is virtually friendless. A long list of Democrats sense his vulnerability and jockey for the nomination, certain they can clobber the mayor in November. Disaffected conservatives within his own party, unhappy with their “limousine liberal” standard bearer, organize a grassroots challenge. And the municipal unions—particularly the teachers — bitterly complain about mayor’s re-forms and vow to send him’ packing. [full story]

	You are invited to ‘Shakespeare Revue’ “The Shakespeare Revue,” a cabaret-style musical, will be performed March 19 at the College of Staten Island Center for the Arts. [full story]

February 2005

	CSI unveils masters degree in business management Who’s to say Donald Trump’s next apprentice won’t come from the College of Staten Island? [full story]

	Former Advance photographer's work at MoMA A pre-Sept. 11 photo of the Fresh Kills landfill by a former Advance photographer has entered the Museum of Modern Art collection, considered the finest in the Western Hemisphere. [full story]

	The reality of slavery The image on the Williamson Theater screen at the College of Staten Island last night depicted a 19th century black slave being repeatedly whipped for trying to escape from his plantation. [full story]

	Community comes together to remember tsunami victims With a theme of uniting humanity, College of Staten Island and students along with Islanders of all faiths sang, prayed and remembered victims of the tsunami tragedy with a candlelight vigil. [full story]

	Pataki proposal to raise CUNY tuition comes under fire If Gov. George Pataki's proposed budget passes unchanged, many students could be denied a college education, Assemblyman Michael Cusick charged yesterday. [full story]

	CUNY head objects to Pataki plan to hike tuition ALBANY -- A top official at the City University of New York yesterday questioned Gov. George Pataki's plan to hike tuition $250 this fall -- and asked the state to restore nearly $4.4 million to the College of Staten Island. [full story]

	Information fairs scheduled for international high school The first of three borough informational fairs for eighth-graders interested in enrolling in a new internationally themed high school on Staten Island will be held tomorrow at the Petrides Complex, Sunnyside. [full story]

	Students learn about finances with new game Learning finance is truly fun and games at the Francis School, a private nonsectarian high school in Great Kills. [full story]

	CSI's president is appointed to panel on women's issues Dr. Marlene Springer, the president of the College of Staten Island, has been appointed to the New York City Commission on Women's Issues, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced yesterday. [full story]

	Bloomberg shows he's big on small schools Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday announced gains on the way to creating 200 new small schools -- a centerpiece of his school system overhaul. [full story]

January 2005

	CSI men capture 4th straight CUNY title The College of Staten Island men's swim team continued its dominance, taking its fourth straight CUNY title at Lehman College, the Bronx, yesterday. [full story]

	Program upgrades for Island schools Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled four major Staten Island initiatives yesterday that might soon transform the educational landscape here, including a proposal to turn Staten Island Technical High School into the borough's first test-admission school, anointing it with the prestige of city schools like Stuyvesant High School and Bronx High School of Science. [full story]

	Tech senior named Intel semi-finalist In a school that prides itself on academic competition and achievement, especially in the sciences and engineering, Nina Kim of Staten Island Technical High School is a stand-out. [full story]

	Applause Robert D. Diamant of New Springville was honored as Mentoring Coordinator of the Year by the New York City Department of Education during a ceremony in Manhattan. [full story]

	Leaders stress community to CSI elite Students participating in the College of Staten Island's "Emerging Leaders Program" received some helpful advice last night from three of the borough's top leaders. [full story]

	Former CSI student dies in Iraq Staten Island’s Nigerian community joined hands yesterday with the College of Staten Island in mourning the death of one of their own-a 21-year-old soldier who died in a U.S. military incident in Baghdad. [full story]

	Landfill roads by '07, limit lefts on Hylan Borough President James Molinaro laid out a host of new traffic, parks, building and economic initiatives last night during a State of the Borough speech that also served as an unofficial kickoff to his re-election bid this year. [full story]

	CSI holds out hope for state aid ALBANY -- The College of Staten Island faces the loss of $4.4 million in state aid that would have paid for increased classroom space at the school. [full story]

	CSI graduates 38 nursing students The College of Staten Island celebrated the graduation of 38 nursing students during its pinning ceremony yesterday in the Willowbrook school's Center for the Arts. [full story]

Research Expo

Eleven Susan Wagner High School students were among those who presented research projects and papers at the annual High School Research Expo. The event was sponsored by the College of Staten Island

A degree of difficulty

CSI graduation: Pomp and circumstance, boos and hisses

Correctional facility inmates graduate business program

Of CSI, Italy and the Island

CSI nursing graduates pledge to ease suffering, preserve life

Are Island schools underachieving?

YMCA will honor 3 leaders

Graduates will have fine example to follow

Collegians find internships help their future

Quiles steals show at CSI awards banquet

For ex-Willowbrook residents, fight never ends

High school to get view of the world

CSI rallies to capture CUNY crown

Novelist Erica Jong to speak at CSI graduation

What she did for love

Rita Ray does it all

Pro football stars to appear on the green

Some signs are just clearly obscure

Paycheck primer

Cyberspace dance connection

College Fair planned for Wednesday at CSI

Passover rituals explained at CSI seder

Latest census data: We are the world

Music ‘angel’ smiling on CSI campus

Steel drums, straw hats

Differing views of stem-cell research

Town hall meeting is all about issues

Former neo-Nazi leader addresses CSI students

Celebrate Caribbean style at the Staten Island Mall

Students serve as interns at Chamber

Holland's 'Cinema Suitcase' unpacks at the CSI gallery

Pour unclaimed bottle-deposit money into environmental fund, advocates say

Legislature's budget plans could reinstate $4.4M in aid to CSI

Blues, Brahms & beyond

Monroe: Out for new blood

CSI ceremony hails opening of polymeric research center

Cache me if you can

Like Lindsay like Mike?

You are invited to ‘Shakespeare Revue’

CSI unveils masters degree in business management

Former Advance photographer's work at MoMA

The reality of slavery

Community comes together to remember tsunami victims

Pataki proposal to raise CUNY tuition comes under fire

CUNY head objects to Pataki plan to hike tuition

Information fairs scheduled for international high school

Students learn about finances with new game

CSI's president is appointed to panel on women's issues

Bloomberg shows he's big on small schools

CSI men capture 4th straight CUNY title

Program upgrades for Island schools

Tech senior named Intel semi-finalist

Applause

Leaders stress community to CSI elite

Former CSI student dies in Iraq

Landfill roads by '07, limit lefts on Hylan

CSI holds out hope for state aid

CSI graduates 38 nursing students

Research Expo