_{Mount Saint Mary College students, alumni, and staff enjoyed a recent visit with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York.} 

More than a dozen Mount Saint Mary College students, alumni, and staff enjoyed a visit with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, on Wednesday, October 5.

“We shared dinner, evening prayer, a talk by his Eminence on mercy and hope, followed by questions and answers,” explained Fr. Francis Amodio, O.Carm., director of Campus Ministry at the Mount. “It was a good time to share and pray with other students from other colleges. It was great to see young people united and sharing together.”

Fr. Amodio thanked Roger May, assistant director of Campus Ministry, for organizing the Mount community’s participation. The event, held at SUNY New Paltz, was sponsored by the Lower Hudson Valley Campus Ministers Group.

This visit was not the first time that the Mount enjoyed Cardinal Dolan’s presence. About 1,000 visitors packed the Kaplan Recreation Center at Mount Saint Mary College in the summer of 2015 for a Mass celebrated by the Cardinal. He also visited the college in August of 2012 to attend a summer gathering of priests. At that time, he discussed faith with dozens of residence life staff and Fr. Amodio.

Mount Saint Mary College recently received a $60,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust to furnish nursing labs with state-of-the-art simulation learning equipment.

The grant will be primarily used to purchase the task trainers and updates for simulation equipment for the graduate nursing program, preparing nurse practitioners for primary care practice. An additional simulation learning area and new debriefing room are included in the updates for the simulation program.

“This equipment will be valuable in educating our undergraduate and graduate nursing students to provide skilled, compassionate care,” noted Andrea Ackerman, longtime Mount professor and Director of Simulation at the college.

According to Ackermann, the need for skilled, compassionate nurses is projected to increase. The five-county Mid-Hudson region in New York State is experiencing an aging population, and Mount Saint Mary College is well positioned to play a role in meeting patients’ needs.

By expanding its strong undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, the Mount is committed to continuing its mission of educating excellent health care professionals who will go on to lead and serve in their own communities.

Examples of successful Mount nursing alumni include Jessica Matuszewski Verblaauw ’12, an oncology certified Registered Nurse at Orange Regional Medical Center, who was honored with the DAISY Award in the summer of 2016; and Cathleen M. Cavanagh ’77, a nurse at Patchogue-Medford High School in Medford, N.Y., who was recently named 2016 New York State United Teachers Health Care Professional Member of the Year.

In addition to the $60,000 grant, Mount Saint Mary College is grateful for the past support of the George I. Alden Trust, including a grant for the construction of the Kaplan Family Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Center in 2007. The MST Center continues to be a hub of inquiry-based science teaching and learning, increased participation in undergraduate research, and a gathering place for students and faculty.

The George I. Alden Trust supports colleges and universities with fulltime traditional undergraduate enrollments of at least 1,000 students in the six New England states, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It also supports independent secondary schools in the immediate Worcester area, a group of Trust determined educationally related organizations in the immediate Worcester area, and YMCAs located in Massachusetts.

_{Photo-journalist David Burnett (left) discusses “Newburgh Rising” with Dean Goldberg, associate professor of communication arts and film studies at Mount Saint Mary College.}

Directed by Dean Goldberg, associate professor of communication arts and film studies at Mount Saint Mary College, “Newburgh Rising: A Photographers for Hope Journey” played to a packed audience of students, staff, and the local community on Thursday, October 6 at the college.

The half-hour film follows nine photographers as they capture the City of Newburgh through their own personal perspectives. Photo-journalist David Burnett, leader of The Photographers for Hope, discussed the project during a question and answer session after the film.

Several of Goldberg’s students helped chronicle the work of the Photographers for Hope for the film. They recorded “some very moving stories” from the photographers, said Goldberg. He added that the experience will go a long way in preparing his students for careers in film and video.

The screening was sponsored by the Mount’s Division of Arts and Letters.

_{Fr. Francis Amodio, O.Carm., campus chaplain and director of Campus Ministry, leads the “Take Back the Night” march at Mount Saint Mary College.}

Students, staff, and faculty of Mount Saint Mary College honored victims of sexual assault with the college's inagural “Take Back the Night” march on October 6.

Participants gave speeches, read poems, sang songs, and said prayers to raise awareness of and help end sexual assault.

“I thank everyone who came out to the Mount’s first ‘Take Back the Night,’” said Kelly Yough, Dean of Student Affairs at the college. “The support from our community, along with the support we received from Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and his staff, was overwhelming.”

Yough also thanked the Mount’s “Take Back the Night” committee for their “tireless effort and great work” in organizing the event.

_{Members of the Mount Saint Mary College community took part in the college’s first “Take Back the Night” march on October 6.} 

_{Kevin Vost, Catholic lecturer, discussed the Order of Preacher’s “Hounds of the Lord” on October 6 at Mount Saint Mary College.} 

Kevin Vost, Catholic author, speaker, and professor, discussed the Dominican Order of Preacher’s “Hounds of the Lord” on Thursday, October 6 at Mount Saint Mary College.

At the time of their beginnings in the 13th century, some called members of the Dominican Order of Preachers “hounds of the Lord” because in Latin, canis means “dog” and Domini “of the Lord,” Vost explained.

His lecture celebrated the 800th Jubilee Year of the Dominicans by highlighting the lives of St. Dominic de Guzman and eight other “hounds of the Lord,” showing their profound effects on the world for the last 800 years.

The talk capped off the Mount’s annual Founders Day, during which the college celebrates the legacy of St. Dominic de Guzman and the Dominican Sisters who established the college using as a guideline the four pillars of Dominican life: study, prayer, service, and community.

Vost completed his doctorate in clinical psychology at the Adler School of Professional Psychology with dissertation research on executive functioning in early Alzheimer’s disease at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

He has taught psychology and gerontology at Aquinas College in Nashville, Tenn.; the University of Illinois in Springfield, Ill.; MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill.; and Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Ill. He has previously served as a Research Review Committee member for American MENSA and has appeared on hundreds of Catholic radio and television programs.

Vost’s lecture was sponsored by the Mount’s Catholic and Dominican Institute (CDI). CDI promotes the Mount’s heritage of St. Dominic; advances the Dominican charism of study and service; provides a forum for discussion of contemporary ethical issues; and enhances Catholic and Jewish dialogue. The Institute welcomes persons of varied faiths and acknowledges different religious traditions as essential to the college’s intellectual and spiritual life.

_{Laconia Therrio discussed folktales, children’s stories, and how to be a better storyteller during a Mount Saint Mary College workshop on October 13.}

Professional storyteller Laconia Therrio thrilled the Mount Saint Mary College community with “The Storyteller in You” on Thursday, October 13.

During his visit, Therrio told a series of children’s stories, folktales, and “signature” anecdotes before delving into how one can increase their effectiveness as a storyteller. He noted that sometimes the impact of a story comes not from the piece itself, but how it’s told. For example, while recounting a grim folktale about a selfish, miserly old man, Therrio gave each character a distinct voice, used body language to enhance the tense mood, and made participants jump with a loud, unexpected “Boo!”

Therrio visited the Mount at the request of Jane Gangi, Mount Saint Mary College associate professor of education.

“Laconia is a powerful storyteller,” said Gangi. “He is deeply connected to the stories he tells and deeply connected to his audience. The enchantment of community, art, and insight come together whenever and wherever Laconia performs.”

Therrio has previously shared his work with the Mount community at events such as Family Literacy Night at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center and the 22nd Annual Conference on Literacy titled “Engaging All Readers” in 2015.

He is a therapist, a chaplain, and the Director of Behavioral Science at Stamford Hospital’s Family Medicine Residence Program.

_{Donor specialist Katherine Gonzalez draws blood from Mount Saint Mary College student Cailey Walls, a sophomore from Queens, N.Y., during the two-day blood drive.} 

Mount Saint Mary College students, staff, and members of the local community gave the gift of life at the college’s October blood drive, to the tune of 173 units.

Along with medical professionals from the New York Blood Center, members of the college’s Nursing Student Union (NSU) were among those assisting at the event.

_{Kim Londin, Motion Graphics Supervisor, ESPN (far right) discusses her career highlights with Mount Saint Mary College students.} 

Mount Saint Mary College’s Career Center hosted “Real World Connections in Sports” on October 18, creating numerous networking opportunities for graduating seniors.

The Real World Connections series, open to seniors of all majors, unites graduating seniors with professionals in a variety of fields, including successful alumni and high profile recruiters.

Sports professionals who mentored the Mount students were:

• Bradley Brown, Army Athletics, USMA West Point
• Chris DePalma, Inside Sales Associate, New York Yankees
• Leo Fournier, Associate Director/Production, ESPN
• Leigh Klein, Owner/Adjunct, 5 Star Basketball Camp
• Kim Londin, Motion Graphics Supervisor, ESPN
• Jeff Masten, Business Consultant, Gold’s Gym
• Milan Mitra, Olympic Games Project Manager, Samsung
• Tim Murray, Director of Athletics, Marist College
• Stephen O’Keefe, Director/Programming & Production, MSG Varsity
• John Rollins, Interim CEO, Eastern Collage Athletic Conference
• Rick Zolzer, Vice President, Hudson Valley Renegades

“Real World Connections provides a great opportunity to network,” said Jessica Radenberg of Staten Island, N.Y., a business administration and management major with a concentration in sports management. “It’s an intimate setting rather than something large where you don’t get to make as much of an impression.”

With graduation approaching, seniors are looking for opportunities. “Be aggressive and show people that you’re valuable,” said New York Yankees Inside Sales Associate Chris DePalma. “Don’t be afraid to call someone and ask for five minutes of their time.”

Attending a Real World Connections event, even if it doesn’t seem directly connected to a student’s major, can be beneficial, explained Regina Eisenbacher of the Career Center.

“Although these events are separated by industry, there are jobs for everyone,” she said. “Students shouldn’t feel limited to attending based on their major.”

Upcoming Real World Connections programs will include professionals in the fields of nursing, public relations, marketing, and more.

The Mount’s Career Center prepares students for varied career opportunities in the Hudson Valley, New York City, the Capital Region, and beyond.

_{Stephen Cheskiewicz, assistant professor of information technology at Mount Saint Mary College (center), leads the college’s new Information Technology Advisory Board. The board consists of local technology leaders and members of the Mount community.} 

Mount Saint Mary College’s Information Technology Advisory Board, comprised of local leaders in the field, met for the first time this month with the aim of keeping the college’s IT program timely, emergent, and in line with the needs of employers in the Hudson Valley.

In his research “Megabit Learning in a Gigabit World,” Stephen Cheskiewicz, assistant professor of information technology at the Mount, identified ways to increase retention in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) academic programs. According to Cheskiewicz, students in STEM programs expect course content that is emergent and that allows them to be participatory learners.

Assembled by Cheskiewicz for this purpose and more, the Information Technology Advisory Board examined the college’s current technology program and generated suggestions for new educational opportunities. Also discussed were possible new academic concentrations for the information technology program, expanded internship opportunities, and ways for students to apply their technology skills on real world projects.

The board will meet monthly to help facilitate suggestions to better align the Mount’s information technology program with current trends in the discipline and the demand occupations of local employers.

The board consists of Robert Diamond, senior vice president and chief information officer at HealthQuest in LaGrangeville, N.Y.; Kevin Gould of IBM in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Eugene Knudsen, director of the Mid-Hudson Regional Information Center in New Paltz, N.Y.; Douglas Masiero of The Masiero Technology Group in Newburgh, N.Y.; Tom Phillips, executive director of the Hudson Valley Technology Development Center, Inc. in Newburgh, N.Y.; Cheryl Rabinowitz, executive director of information technology with the Newburgh City School District; Steve Shultis, chief technology officer at NY Public Radio in New York City; Jeff Torres, a software engineer in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Carlos Vega, creative director at A. J. Ross Creative Media in Chester, N.Y.; and Christian Venturini, information technology manager at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh, N.Y.

Attending from the Mount were Cheskiewicz; Heather Fitzsimmons, coordinator of co-ops and internships at Mount’s Career Center; Lee Fothergill, professor of mathematics; Bojan Lazarevic, assistant professor of information technology; Maureen Markel, professor of information technology; Michael Olivette, assistant vice-president for Academic Affairs; Sagar Raina, assistant professor of information technology; and Catherine Corry, an information technology senior student from Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

_{Mount students help a young scientist examine fingerprints, with a microscope, in the science lab.}

About 40 third through fifth graders became science super sleuths at Mount Saint Mary College’s Family Science Night on Friday, October 21.

In keeping with the night’s theme, “Solving Mysteries through Science,” the youngsters were tasked with finding out which of four suspects penned a mysterious note left for them at the start of the evening. With the aid of Mount science students – including members of the college’s chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) – the children examined fingerprints under the microscope, inspected soil samples left behind by the culprit, and more.

The event, sponsored by the Mount’s ACS, was held in celebration of National Chemistry Week.

_{Michael Edelstein, professor of environmental psychology at Ramapo College of New Jersey, discusses “Psycho-Social Impacts of Water and Other Environmental Contamination” at Mount Saint Mary College}

Michael Edelstein, professor of environmental psychology at Ramapo College of New Jersey, presented “Psycho-Social Impacts of Water and Other Environmental Contamination” at Mount Saint Mary College on Monday, October 24.

His research, including Love Canal and other contemporary cases, delves into the psycho-social consequences arising from community contamination events. Edelstein has developed a body of theory useful for describing the pressures placed on affected people and communities, and on the officials and others who respond to them.

“Perception is the key, meaning that the way these disasters unfold has a lot to do with whether people believe there is a problem, whether they think they’ve been affected by the problem or if it’s just other people, and how they understand the problem to take hold,” Edelstein explained. “In most situations I’ve looked at, there are people who believe there was never a problem at all, and others who very profoundly feel their lives have been changed.”

In an environmental contamination situation, there’s not much that one can do on their own to correct the problem, notes Edelstein, which can have a negative impact on one’s mental state.

“In many cases, people become immersed in a new world,” he said. “Often, it’s a world defined by the disaster, and there’s a culture shock that goes along with that transition.”

Edelstein’s investigations have taken him across the globe, with a particular emphasis on the former Soviet Union. Among many papers, chapters, and books, he is best known for his examination of psycho-social impact “Contaminated Communities: Coping with Residential Toxic Exposure.”

Edelstein earned his Ph.D. in social psychology from SUNY Buffalo and is currently a professor in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program at Ramapo College, where he has taught for more than four decades.

The talk was part of the Mount’s Investigating Research on Campus (iROC) series. The goal of the iROC series is to “provide a forum for Mount faculty, staff, and students to showcase their research endeavors with both Mount Saint Mary College and the local community in a manner easily understood by attendees,” explained series coordinators Evan Merkhofer, assistant professor of biology, and Jennifer Park, assistant librarian for access and outreach services. Presentations include research proposals, initial data collection, and completed research projects.

Mount Saint Mary College is ranked a Top-Tier University by U.S. News & World Report, and offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for careers in healthcare, business, education, social services, communications, media, and the liberal arts.

_{Biology major Christian Castano of Hopewell Junction, N.Y. (left) and biology professor Carl Hoegler delve into their SURE project, “The Role of Maternal Inheritance in the Early Development of Broccoli Seedling.”} 

From transforming classrooms with emerging technology to examining a yeast genome in order to better understand human diseases, Mount Saint Mary College students showcased their recent original research on Monday, October 24.

Nearly two dozen students presented their Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) findings in poster format.

Coordinated by James Moran, chair of the Mount’s Division of Natural Sciences, professors from education, business, nursing, and more acted as mentors to students examining a plethora of subjects.

As in previous years, the program is a hotbed for research in the natural sciences. Associate biology professor Douglas Robinson and biology student Dominick DeCaterina of Newburgh, N.Y., investigated “Micro and Macro Environmental Factors Associated with the Start of American Crow Incubation.”

Robinson and DeCaterina marked nestling American and Fish Crows as part of the study, examining the timing of incubation and climate change. Robinson donned protective gear and climbed up to the nests, located in City of Newburgh trees, to mark the birds.

According to Robinson, animals, particularly those living in close association with humans, can provide tremendous insight into the wellbeing of the natural environment.

“The use of markers, such as leg bands and wing tags, on birds has a rich history, not the least of which includes helping identifying hot-spots of West Nile virus outbreaks and the occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the environment,” he said.

Robinson has been marking crows since 2001, focusing specifically on the crows of the Newburgh, N.Y., area since 2011. As part of last year’s SURE, DeCaterina and Robinson researched antibiotic resistance in bacteria isolated from nestling American Crow samples.

Biology/pre-med student Jacqueline Copeland of Newburgh, N.Y., presented “Identification of Generic Interactions Associated with Prp5 Using S. Cerevisiae as a Model.” She developed the project with the aid of Evan Merkhofer, assistant biology professor at the Mount.

Their research on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, better known as baker’s yeast, could one day be used to help better understand diseases like cancer. “About 85 percent of their splicing genome is homologous to ours,” explained Copeland.

According to Merkhofer, “we are attempting to better understand the process by which non-coding pieces of RNA are removed by a complex called the spliceosome before the RNA can be translated into protein.”

The basics of this process are known, but the specifics of it are still not well understood, he said.

“There are a number of diseases that occur when this process does not work correctly, including cancer, spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis, and myotonic dystrophy to name a few,” Merkhofer explained. “By better understanding the process of RNA splicing, and identifying which proteins are involved in the process, we hope that it will be possible to better diagnose and treat these diseases.”

The pair’s research has identified one interaction with the MMO1 gene, whose function is currently unknown.

“Ultimately, the goal is to find more of those genes that are interacting, and find out how these genes are all effecting splicing,” Copeland noted. “It’s on a small scale right now, but we have to have these small discoveries to have the bigger picture make sense.”

Other SURE projects on display at the symposiume included “Transforming Classrooms with Emerging Technology” by Veronica Malloy of Amenia, N.Y., and assistant information technology professor Bojan Lazarevic; “Avatar-based Smartphone Application as a Heart Failure Education Strategy: Feasibility Study” by Sebastian Morales of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and associate nursing professor Anne-Marie Uebbing; and “The Role of Maternal Inheritance in the Early Development of Broccoli Seedling” by Christian Castano of Hopewell Junction, N.Y. and biology professor Carl Hoegler.

After the poster presentations, SURE keynote speaker Ann Aguanno, professor of biology at Marymount Manhattan College since 2002, discussed “The Value of Undergraduate Research: Gaining Lab and Life Skills While Advancing Science.”

Aguanno conducts research toward the understanding of the development of a variety of mammalian tissue systems. She has enjoyed much success with her undergraduate research program in the form of fellowships, awards, and presentations of data at national meetings.

_{Vanessa Lawson ’08, HEOP Academic Counselor; Joan Gambeski of the Mount’s Office of College Advancement; and media student Danangelowe “A.J.” Spencer of Hempstead, N.Y. recently connected with actress Jada Smith at the Careers in Entertainment Tour in New York City.} 

Mount Saint Mary College media student Danangelowe “A.J.” Spencer of Hempstead, N.Y. recently connected with VIPs in the showbiz industry during the Careers in Entertainment Tour in New York City.

Hosted by the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, the event mentored students who are interested in careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in the entertainment industry.

In addition to meeting with actress Jada Smith, Spencer made connections with professionals from companies like Spotify USA, Inc., Roc Nation, and Marvel Entertainment, LLC. Also, an info session shed some light on entertainment industry career paths such as public relations, cinematography, acting, graphic arts, and more.

“It made the entertainment industry tangible,” explained Spencer. “These aren’t just people you see on TV or names in the credits. They’re people with the same background as me, and they know the industry is not easy to get into – so I really appreciate them reaching out. It made my dream more realistic.”

After graduating from the Mount, Spencer hopes to found his own film and music production company. Though the college, Spencer has contributed to films such as “Newburgh Rising,” a documentary directed by Dean Goldberg, associate professor of communication arts and film studies.

Mount alumnus Douglas Cash ’10 helped facilitate the trip for his alma mater.

_{Lecturer Jared Zimmerer (left) recently presented “Spirituality & Physical Fitness” at Mount Saint Mary College. He is seen here with the Mount’s mascot Mack the Knight, and Charles Zola, philosophy and religion chair and director of the college’s Catholic and Dominican Institute.} 

What does pumping iron have to do with Christianity? Quite a bit explained speaker Jared Zimmerer in his presentation “Spirituality & Physical Fitness” at Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday, October 26.

Health, nutrition, and fitness are not merely matters of the body, noted Zimmerer: they can have a significant impact on one’s spirituality and mental state.

“We can learn from the discipline it takes to maintain good health through exercise and nutrition,” he explained. “In a real way, you’re learning about your weaknesses and your strengths…and we don’t have to see weakness as a guarantee, but as something we can work on.”

For example, if someone has trouble waking up early to work out, Zimmerer suggests moving the alarm clock to the other side of the room, which forces a person to get out of bed to shut it off. Zimmerer’s weakness is cookies, he said, and the way he prevents himself from eating them is by brushing his teeth right after dinner.

The lessons learned while strengthening the body can easily be carried over into strengthening one’s spirituality, he said.

“If we see the small sins we might be struggling with, or even the big sins, we can figure out a plan to cut those off at the head,” Zimmerer said.

Zimmerer holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and is currently working towards a master’s in theology with an apologetics focus at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Conn., where he earned a full scholarship through the Alumni’s New Evangelization program.

He is the founder of Strength for the Kingdom, a ministry promoting men’s growth in virtue, knowledge of the Catholic faith, and the understanding of authentic masculinity through physical endeavors. He currently works at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine, Texas as the director of Adult Catechesis and Evangelization. Zimmer has also been a competitive all-natural bodybuilder for 15 years.

The lecture was sponsored by the Mount’s athletic department, Campus Ministry, Student Activities, and the Catholic and Dominican Institute (CDI).

CDI promotes the Mount’s heritage of St. Dominic; advances the Dominican charism of study and service; provides a forum for discussion of contemporary ethical issues; and enhances Catholic and Jewish dialogue. The Institute welcomes persons of varied faiths and acknowledges different religious traditions as essential to the college’s intellectual and spiritual life.

_{Participants brainstorm important leadership qualities – and how to strengthen them – at the Mount’s the seventh annual conference of the college’s Center for Adolescent Research and Development on Wednesday, October 26.} 

Educators from New York and beyond packed Mount Saint Mary College’s Hudson Hall auditorium for “Teachers as Leaders: Reclaiming Our Schools,” the seventh annual conference of the college’s Center for Adolescent Research and Development (CARD), on Wednesday, October 26.

Under the direction of Mount alumna Dana McDonough ’91, MSEd ‘00, the 2016 New York State Teacher of the Year; Debra Calvino ’81, the 2010 New York State Teacher of the Year; and Peggy Stewart, the 2005 New Jersey Teacher of the Year, educators learned how they can strengthen their schools through teacher leadership.

“Although not new, teacher leadership is now prominently discussed and growing as an answer to reforms that need to be in place for 21st century schools,” said McDonough.

This conference and workshop combined research, tools, and interactive practices to build one’s capacity to lead through four components: teacher leadership coaching; applying Adult Learning Theory; facilitating effective teams; and designing and implementing change.

CARD is co-directed by professors Frances Spielhagen, education, and Paul Schwartz, psychology. The center fosters research initiatives endemic to contemporary adolescents and young adults.

The conference was co-sponsored by the Mount, the Mid-Hudson School Study Council, Orange-Ulster BOCES, and the National/State Teachers of the Year.

_{Conference speakers, left to right: Dana McDonough ’91, MSEd ‘00, the 2016 New York State Teacher of the Year; CARD cofounder and Mount professor Frances Spielhagen; Debra Calvino ’81, the 2010 New York State Teacher of the Year; and Peggy Stewart, the 2005 New Jersey Teacher of the Year.} 

_{Lawrence T. Force}

Lawrence T. Force, Mount Saint Mary College professor of psychology and director of the college’s Center on Aging and Policy (CAP), discussed depression in older adults at “Aging 101: Where Do I Begin?” held at the college on Thursday, October 27.

The event helped healthcare professionals and community members learn how to navigate healthcare for an aging family member.

Life expectancy has increased with improved healthcare, nutrition, and technology. A normal lifespan is now approximately 0 to 120 years, said Force.

The impact of the increase in longevity can be felt in systems, programs, and individual lives across our nation. Force noted that every day in the United States, 10,000 people turn age 65 with the fastest growing segment of the population individuals older than 100.

Force pointed out that the older one gets, the greater the chance for the loss of a spouse or other loved one. For example, he noted that statistically wives outlive their husbands by approximately six years. He urged participants to be aware of the symptoms of depression – whether in themselves or in someone they care for – and to seek aid if necessary.

A gerontologist, Force has worked in the field of aging and disabilities for more than 30 years as an administrator, clinician, and educator. In addition to collaborating with the Orange County Office for the Aging on programs such as “Senior Matters” on CNN Headline News WWLE 1170 AM, Force spoke at the Center for Aging and Policy’s “Boomer Thunder: From Then to Now” forum at the Mount.

He has authored and collaborated on books, articles, chapters, and technical reports that address topics of aging policy, development of Area Agencies on Aging, life-long disabilities, community-based programs for individuals with specialized needs, adult day services, Alzheimer's disease, family caregiving, and end-of-life care.

Among his many published works in this field, Force is co-author of “End-of Life Care: A Guide for Supporting Older People with Intellectual Disabilities & their Families” and “Gerontology: An Interactive Text.”

The Mount’s Center on Aging and Policy provides psychology majors and students of other disciplines with many opportunities to expand their knowledge and interact with professionals in the field. Enhancing their coursework in social sciences, Mount students are able to participate in real-world experiences through the center.

CAP explores opportunities in service, programming, and research in the field of aging, and oversees the Mount’s Aging United student organization.

Force said that CAP helps Mount students in “networking, seeing new material, increasing content knowledge, and discovering new career paths.”

The event was presented by the Mount, The Orange County Office for the Aging, The Population Health Coalition, and St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital. ShopRite donated a light dinner for participants.

_{The senior class at Mount Saint Mary College emerged victorious at the Mount Olympics on Thursday, October 27.} 

After a competition that included performances, relays, a tug of war, and more, Mount Saint Mary College’s senior class claimed victory at the Mount Olympics on Thursday, October 27.

As part of the college’s annual Spirit of the Mount Week, students compete against each other to take home the Mount Olympics trophy – and the bragging rights that go along with it. More than 750 students attended the event.

But Spirit of the Mount Week is about more than just friendly completion.

Through a “coin war,” Mount students raised more than $300 for the college’s annual Thanksgiving food drive. The money will be used to aid underprivileged families living in Newburgh through the city’s Loaves and Fishes program.

Spirit of the Mount Week went out with a bang on Saturday, October 29 with the college’s 21st annual bonfire. The event included a performance from the college’s cheerleading team, among other entertainment.

Also during Spirit Week, students attended a kickoff Mass celebrated by campus chaplain Fr. Francis Amodio, O.Carm; enjoyed a powder puff football game; and more.

_{Mount Saint Mary College’s Spirit of the Mount Week concluded with the 21st annual bonfire, held on campus on October 29.} 

_{The Mount Saint Mary College Big Brothers Big Sisters club recently held a Halloween party for a dozen local youths.}

Mount Saint Mary College’s Big Brotherd Big Sisters (BBBS) student club offered up some spooky fun for more than a dozen local kids at their annual Halloween party.

According to club president Rose Linehan of New Hyde Park, N.Y., the successful event featured Halloween-themed food and games, as well as providing a positive, nurturing atmosphere to help the “bigs” encourage and empower each of the “littles.”

The Mount’s BBBS club provides mentoring for at-risk children from the City of Newburgh. By serving as role models, the students help the youths experience the power of friendship. Members of the chapter meet with their littles about six times per semester.

_{Brittany King ’11, and editor at People Magazine (left), said the Mount’s Career Center provided her with the internship experience she needed to be successful in her profession.}

From magazine and newspaper editors to marketing gurus, Mount Saint Mary College’s “Real World Connections in Writing and Journalism” event on November 1 gave graduating seniors the opportunity to network with a plethora of local writing professionals.

The Real World Connections series, hosted by the college’s Career Center, unites seniors of all majors with professionals in a variety of fields, including successful alumni and high profile recruiters.

Writing professionals who mentored the Mount students were:

• Brittany King ’11 of People Magazine
• Alyssa Watkins ’13 of KC Engineering
• Sam Anderson of New York Times Magazine
• James Danella of Media Vision Advertising
• Barry Lewis of the Times Herald-Record
• Martha Schueneman, a freelance writer
• Kate Walsh of Hudson Valley Magazine

Despite perceptions of decline, Lewis, the executive editor of the Times Herald-Record, says there are good opportunities in the journalism field. Print circulation of newspapers has declined, he explained, but thanks to the internet, “There are more people looking at our newspaper now than there has ever been.”

His advice to students looking to break into the field was simple: place work experience at the top of your résumé, instead of GPA or degrees earned. “I want to know if you can write a story,” Lewis said.

_{Barry Lewis, executive editor of the Times Herald-Record (left), discusses the newspaper business with Janet Zeman, executive director of the Mount’s Career Center (center), and senior Barbara Rybacki of Washingtonville, N.Y., a communications major (right).} 

Walsh, editor of Hudson Valley Magazine, advised students to have a friend proofread their résumé and cover letter before sending them out. A single error could mean the difference between landing an interview and being rejected, she said.

King, an editor at People Magazine, says the job is “exciting and fast-paced.” But, she noted, she wouldn’t have been hired without the internship experience she gained while at the Mount, including working for MTV. King encouraged students to seek internship and coop opportunities though the college’s Career Center: “As many as you possibly can, as soon as you possibly can,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to work your way up and don’t be afraid to commute to the city.”

Though each of the professionals comes from a different background, there was a common thread to their success, noted John Chiaia of Brooklyn, N.Y., a journalism and public relations major.

“They didn't graduate and then suddenly have their dream job,” he said. “Getting to where you want to be requires patience and drive. Everything eventually falls into place if you put in the work.”

The Mount’s Career Center prepares students for varied career opportunities in the Hudson Valley, New York City, the Capital Region, and beyond.

Upcoming Real World Connections programs will include professionals in the fields of nursing, public relations, marketing, and more.

_{Veronica Malloy of Millbrook, N.Y. (standing, center), president of Mount Saint Mary College’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, and Mount volunteer Christina Vakirtzis of Beacon, N.Y. (standing, left) teach a literacy course of their own design at the Newburgh Ministry.} 

Mount Saint Mary College’s Sigma Tau chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the International Honor Society in Education, recently kicked off an afterschool literacy program for underprivileged children living in Newburgh.

The initiative is a collaborative venture between Mount Saint Mary College and the Newburgh Ministry charitable organization (headed by director Colin Jarvis).

Developed by Mount teacher candidates over the summer interim, “Exploring World of Words” is run by nearly a dozen Mount volunteers, who will be working with children at the Ministry every Thursday this year. So far, the program has been enjoyed by about 20 at-risk elementary through middle school students.

KDP chapter president Veronica Malloy of Millbrook, N.Y. and vice president Emily Meehan of Warwick, N.Y. spearheaded the program. Their efforts are backed by a team of about 10 enthusiastic volunteers from the Mount’s education program. Most are members of Kappa Delta Pi.

“I think it’s awesome that we get to nurture literacy in the kids like this,” said Malloy. “This is also really great practice [for teacher candidates].”

Mount education professors Sonya Abbye Taylor and Ludmila Smirnova, co-counselors of the KDP chapter, assisted the teacher candidates in designing the program.

“We want to instill the desire to learn,” explained Smirnova. “Also we want to develop leadership skills and connect with parents. Another major goal is to get the children interested in a college education.”

Young participants and their families are scheduled to present projects created during the weekly program at the college’s annual literacy conference in April. They will also get a tour of the Mount in an effort promote interest in higher education and a brighter future.

Taylor says that the program is beneficial for not only the young students, but also for the Mount teacher candidates.

“This will help our students to be more effective communicators,” she said. “And this is something where they generate the curriculum and dictate exactly how they teach it, just like they will one day in their own classrooms.”