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ePoly Briefs |
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HEADLINES
PFIZER CHIEF HENRY MCKINNELL TO SPEAK AT COMMENCEMENT
During the ceremony, McKinnell will also receive an honorary degree from Polytechnic. In addition to his role at Pfizer, he is chairman of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and a member of President Bush's Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. In 2001, he was named by Time magazine and CNN as one of the most influential global executives. In 2003, he received the Global Leadership Award from the United Nations Association of the United States of America.
EE, MATH PROGRAMS RANKED IN U.S. NEWS 'AMERICA'S BEST GRADUATE SCHOOLS' Polytechnic's graduate programs in mathematics and electrical engineering are among the nation's top programs, according to U.S. News & World Report in its 2005 issue of America's Best Graduate Schools. The graduate EE program tied with Case Western Reserve University and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst for 43rd place, out of 80 schools listed. The graduate math program tied with nine schools for 87th place out of 98 schools ranked. U.S. News determined Poly's graduate math program to be on par with those offered by Auburn, Temple, Case Western, Kansas State, SUNY Albany, Washington State, University of New Mexico and University of South Carolina. U.S. News rankings are based on both opinion and statistical information. More than 9,000 deans, program directors and senior faculty at hundreds of colleges and universities were surveyed in 2003 for their opinions of overall academic program quality. In addition, statistical data were compiled about measures of quality that students and faculty bring to the educational experience, and about the achievements of graduates that can be linked to their degrees. Overall, Polytechnic ranked at No. 81 among engineering schools that grant doctoral degrees, tying such universities as Tulane, George Washington and Brigham Young.
ADMINISTRATION REORGANIZED; NEW BUDGET REFLECTS DECLINING ENROLLMENT President
Chang, in a March 31 memo to the Poly community, announced a reorganization
of the senior management staff. Among the changes, the open position
of vice president for student affairs, Chang also reported that, as of March 21, admitted students to the engineering and computer science disciplines declined by more than 25 percent compared to last year, and the total number of admitted students to Polytechnic declined by six percent, offset by growth in mechanical engineering and pre-med programs. On a positive note, Poly's endowment grew by almost 20 percent last year, and the Honors College retained all its students after one year in operation; the program will be enlarged to admit more students this fall. To compensate for the unexpected decline in enrollment, the Board of Trustees is preparing the 2004-05 budget to reflect a declining enrollment, not a flat enrollment as assumed in the past.
TOWN HALL: ENROLLMENT, GRADE TAMPERING, BUDGET FREEZE President David Chang opened the April 2nd Town Hall meeting with a summary of current enrollment numbers. He said that total admission applications is down one percent from last year and applications in the computer science discipline is down approximately 30 percent from last year. "Retention is key to maintaining tuition revenue," he said. Reporting on the University budget, VP T.C. Westcott forecasts a deficit of $2.4 million by June 30. Reasons include a more-than-$500,000 shortfall in tuition revenue for fiscal 2003-04 as well as an additional $300,000 in financial aid to students as a result of changes in scholarship requirements. Westcott wants to bring the deficit down to $1.5 million. To achieve that figure, the University has initiated a freeze on all "non-essential" spending, including travel and entertainment, and is only filling open job positions deemed crucial. She emphasized that the budget freeze would not affect student services, clubs and organizations. Her office is also developing a policy to make the practice of issuing employee stipends more consistent and fair. Provost/VP/Dean Bud Griffis confirmed reports that some students have been involved in grade tampering. His office is currently investigating the situation, and one student has been expelled. He said his office is also responding to students' complaints about the cafeteria's prices and the need to install bulletin boards near elevators. Regarding student retention, Griffis said that the current drop-out rate is "on par with last year's," and he aims to reduce student attrition in the fall semester from 51 to 30. Questions asked during the meeting: What is the status of graduate enrollment for fall 2004? Chang said graduate enrollment will become clear over the summer when acceptance letters are returned. What is the status of gifts to the University? Tom Daly, director of development, said fundraising has been on par with this time last year, despite a short-staffed office. Donald Ivanoff, director of alumni relations, added that unrestricted alumni gifts are about $100,000 ahead of the numbers compared to this time last year, but cautions that it may just be that gifts are coming in early. What happens if we do not bring the deficit down to $1.5 million? Westcott said that it will be difficult to achieve, but it is essential because Poly needs to have a balanced budget by June 2005, as part of its bond-covenant agreement. Currently, there is a "favorable run rate" totaling $773,000 from departments that have not depleted their budgets for fiscal 2003-04; Westcott is working with those departments to access that money. In addition, she is working to hold benefit contributions at their current rates. The Benefits Committee is reviewing this issue. Does the downturn in the IT industry also affect other schools' enrollments? Chang said that it does, but the downturn probably affects Poly more severely because its enrollment was 65 percent in computer science and computer engineering just three years ago. Other universities' tuition revenue is most likely buffered by continued enrollment in other programs.
IT FLOATS! POLY NO. 1 IN CONCRETE CANOE COMPETITION
The Poly team, members of the Poly ASCE student chapter, were Elda Bruza, Jeremy Davis (team leader and ASCE student chapter president), Frank D'Eufemia, Timothy John, Stuart Lewis, Anna Ly, Peter Mancuso, Adrienne Markowski, Dolores Reyes, Brian Richard, Parnelle Victor and Dan Winkleman. The faculty adviser was Jose Ulerio. The team will compete in the national competition in June in Washington, D.C.
SNOW DAYS ARE NOW MAKE-UP DAYS Due to bad weather that cancelled classes in January and March, the Registrar has set aside two days in May for students to make up those classes. These classes are for the MetroTech campus only. Classes cancelled on Wednesday, January 28, will be made up on Tuesday, May 4. Evening classes cancelled on Tuesday, March 16, will be made up in the evening of Wednesday, May 5. Final exams begin on Thursday, May 6.
TUITION INCREASES NEXT SEMESTER The Board of Trustees has approved a 5.5 percent tuition increase, the same percent as last year, for undergraduate and graduate programs. The rates starting fall 2004 will be $13,100 per semester for full-time undergraduate students and $900 per unit for graduate students. Semester rates for graduate executive programs are $10,882 for computer science and $11,130 for management. There is no increase in room rates for the Othmer Residence Hall and in the University fee.
The international research society Sigma Xi now has a chapter at Polytechnic. Currently, there are nearly 75,000 members in more than 500 chapters at universities, industrial research centers and government laboratories. Chapters offer programs and activities to promote scientific enterprise and honor scientific achievement. Sigma Xi was active at Poly since the society's creation in 1886. It was deactivated nearly two decades ago. The chapter was re-started by alumnus John A. Allocca '79 after two years of planning. On slate for the chapter are lectures, awards and student grants at Poly. "We want to encourage Poly educators to join the admissions committee," says Allocca, "and to nominate appropriate students for membership." Membership to the society is by invitation only. Outstanding students who show "promise of research" may be considered for an associate membership. Accomplished scientists from academia, medicine and industry may be considered for full membership. For more information, contact Allocca at john@allocca.com, or visit the Sigma Xi Poly chapter website. Board of Directors:
NEW PROGRAM HELPS HS STUDENTS GET A JUMP START ON COLLEGE-LEVEL MATH Last year, Mathematics Department Head Erwin Lutwak went to Beverly Johnson with a challenge to help him with a substandard math aptitude among first-year students. "Give us students early on," he told her, "and we will make sure they are proficient in math. Senior year of high school is too late to start [preparing students for college math courses]." For Johnson, executive director of the YES Center, Poly's pre-college outreach effort, the challenge was achievable. This summer, the YES Center launches the Mathematics Institute, a six-week immersive program at Poly for students in grades 9-12. "The institute is geared to enhance students' high school math courses," says Johnson. Aided by Poly's math faculty, including Lutwak and instructors Carolyn King and Chandni Shah, the program adapts the departments' 0900 series of introductory courses, allowing students to work at their own speed and preparing them for standardized tests, including the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), used by most U.S. colleges in accepting applicants. A large component of the institute, the SAT prep will reflect extensive changes to the test beginning March 2005, including a new writing section and more advanced math problems. The Mathematics Institute opens July 6 and continues through August 13, running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The cost for students is $1,500, which can be applied to tuition if the student enrolls in Polytechnic. The institute will also offer courses during the school year. A pilot course was offered in spring 2004 with students meeting on Saturdays at Poly. Future courses will be offered in the fall. More information can be found on the YES Center's Mathematics Institute website.
GOLDBERG, MCNEAR HONORED AT POLY AWARDS CEREMONY To thundering applause in a full-capacity Silleck Lounge, Mona Goldberg and Cheryl McNear were each presented with an Extra Mile Award, recognizing their efforts to go the extra mile in making Polytechnic a better place to work, teach and learn. Mona, associate director of financial aid, and Cheryl, director of student development, were recognized for their tireless work on behalf of the students. Both received an engraved award and a $100 gift certificate. The event, held April 22, also recognized eight employees, including Mona and Cheryl, who received an Extra Step Award from October 2003 to March 2004. Each received an award and certificate.
Kathy joined Poly three year ago as a senior counselor in Student Services. In 2002, she was named director of the Counseling Center, which then became a separate service. Before coming to Poly, she earned a doctorate in counseling psychology and served a post-doctoral fellowship at the Traumatic Stress Institute in Connecticut. She is from St. Louis, Mo., and currently lives in Crown Heights.
Ellen came to Poly in 1996. Previously, she was president of the faculty guild at Syracuse University's Health Science Center. Born and raised in Manhattan—she has a twin sister, Terry, who's a professor at C.W. Post—Ellen currently lives on Long Island and has two children, Richard, 29, and Bree, 26. She is also a Poly alumna, earning a master's degree in management in 2000.
Mona is celebrating her 26th year at Poly. She started as a part-time clerk in Financial Aid when her children started school, never realizing it would become her second home. Both her sons graduated from Poly: Charles in 1991 and Michael in 1995. Brooklyn born and raised, Mona currently lives in Sheepshead Bay and is grandmother to Alexander, 5 months.
This is Chris' third Extra Step Award; he previously won for creativity and customer service. A former video and media consultant, he has been at Poly for six years and is a 2001 alumnus with a master's in management of technology. A native Manhattanite, he lives with his wife, Vanessa, in Chelsea and is the father to daughters Gwynne, 3, and Devyn, born in March. Beverly Johnson, in the category of Customer Service. Beverly is the executive director of the Center of Youth in Engineering and Science. Better known as the YES Center, it was created in 1984 to reach out to New York City's high school students—especially minorities and women—and encourage them to pursue careers in science and technology. Many of those students have gone on to graduate from Poly. Beverly oversees the programs offered by the YES Center, including the prestigious Summer Research Institute, where high school students spend their summers at Poly working one-on-one with a faculty member. Those students then go on to compete in regional science fairs, overseen—again—by Beverly. Beverly also plays an important role in the Promise Fund, which is Polytechnic's largest scholarship program, supporting approximately 100 students a year. An employee nominating her for this award wrote: "Beverly has gathered around her a growing group of former YES students and NACME fellows, whose first contact with Poly occurred while in high school. This experience has linked them to the University in profound ways, and they have maintained close contact with the YES Center and with Beverly once they became full-time Poly students." The nominator added: "Beverly provides important support for Poly not only in attracting students to Poly, but also in retaining them. She is an important contact point for these young people and assists them in untold ways to be conscientious students."
Cheryl's career has always involved students. After 10 years in student activities at Columbia University, she joined Poly in 1982 as the executive assistant for the dean of students. Through her 22 years here, she rose to director of resident life, director of student activities and then assistant dean of students before being named director of student development in 1995. A native New Yorker, Cheryl has lived in three of the five boroughs; currently, she lives in the Bronx. She is mother to Rachael and grandmother to Rebekah, 7 months.
This year, Gavin celebrates five years at Poly. Previously, he worked at the New York City Criminal Court Library. Born in Guyana, he came here more than 30 years ago and currently lives in Yonkers.
George previously won an Extra Step Award and an Extra Mile Award in 2001. As shown by his work at Poly, George's skills are varied; before joining the University, he was a corporate lawyer and a magazine writer and editor. Originally from New Hampshire, he currently lives in Manhattan. Extra Step Award winners are nominated by employees and students. The Campaign 1-2-3 Rewards & Recognition Team chooses up to six winners each month from among the nominees. Three times a year, the team chooses a winner for an Extra Mile Award from among the Extra Step Award winners. To nominate someone for an award, fill out a nomination form on Poly's Intranet.
TOP ATHLETES HONORED AT VARSITY BANQUET Polytechnic celebrated the end of the athletic year with its Annual Awards Banquet, held April 23. Over 200 athletes, coaches, administrators, parents and alumni attended the event. Athletic Director Maureen Braziel commended the athletes and coaches on their "tremendous amount of Poly pride and spirit." She noted several accomplishments, including a third straight Hudson Valley Athletic Conference championship for the men's volleyball team and a second straight championship title for the men's basketball team. She also praised the women's basketball team for its Hudson Valley Invitational win and the women's softball team strong start at 12-2 in its second year of existence. Senior Nil Simsek, captain of the women's basketball team, was named Outstanding Athlete of the Year for a second year in a row. Chandan Mathur, received the Edward C. Russell Award, which recognizes a senior who displays outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments over the course of four years. Mathur, who played on the men's soccer and tennis teams, is graduating with a 3.9 GPA. The Richard Goldish Award was presented to two students who showed outstanding leadership, cooperation and dedication to Poly athletics: Christopher Jean of the men's basketball team and Patricia Murphy, a member of the women's basketball, softball and soccer teams. John Brook, Richard Gronlie and Joe Richetti were inducted to Polytechnic's Hall of Fame. Brook is on the track and basketball teams, Gronlie on the basketball team and Richetti on the baseball team. Two inaugural awards were also given out. The first, the Nick Russo Memorial Award, named for the late alumnus, instructor and athletics volunteer, honors those with the Poly athletic spirit, but who are not athletes themselves. Seniors ShukYee Tang, who recorded the stats for all the teams this year, and Jason Brown, who helped coach the women's basketball team, each received the award. The second new award—named in memory of Baseball Coach Arty Williams' mother, Cordella E. Williams—recognizes an outstanding female athlete and was given to Sarah Walter, who earned a 3.5 GPA while playing on the women's basketball, softball and soccer teams. The following won the titles Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of the Year (ROTY) for their teams:
POLY TO HONOR 64 EMPLOYEES AT SERVICE AWARDS On Thursday, May 13, from 3 to 5 p.m., Polytechnic will hold its annual Service Awards Ceremony and Reception, which recognizes employees who have provided service to Poly for five years and more in five-year increments. The event will be in the Dibner Auditorium and a reception held afterwards. Please come and applaud your fellow colleagues. Heather Walters, archivist, Library Jose Ulerio, director, Information Systems Jacqueline Camara, administrative assistant, Facilities Management Ann-Marie Dwarica, administrative assistant, Student Accounts Alan Nadler, instructor, Humanities & Social Sciences Elena Prassas, associate professor, Civil Engineering Teresina Tam, director, HEOP Nedenia Decasta, administrative aide, Registrar Rose Emma, executive assistant, President Emeritus Iraj Kalkhoran, associate professor, Mechanical, Aerospace & Manufacturing Engineering Kalle Levon, professor, Othmer Chemical & Biological Sciences & Engineering Barbara Springer, administrative assistant, Computer & Information Science Carmen Villafane, administrative assistant, International Students & Scholars David Chang, president David Doucette, industry professor, Introductory Design & Science Jean Gallagher, associate professor, Humanities & Social Sciences Abdelhamid Kadik, instructor, Mathematics Lauren Kozol, lecturer, Humanities & Social Sciences Claudia Riedel, office manager, Computer & Information Science Genevieve Schaeffer, administrative assistant, Civil Engineering Valery Sheverev, industry associate professor, Introductory Design & Science Kate Smith, executive assistant, President Abraham Ulman, professor, Othmer Chemical & Biological Sciences & Engineering Yison Yang, professor, Mathematics Victor Barinov, instructor, Introductory Design & Science Yair Berson, assistant professor, Management Michael Campbell, assistant director, Academic Success Dina Cruz-Cadiz, Promise Fund coordinator, University Relations Partha Debroy, instructor, Introductory Design & Science Elza Erkip, assistant professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering Michael Gendel, director, International Students & Scholars Masoud Ghandehari, assistant professor, Civil Engineering David Goodman, professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering Roupchan Hardowar, information technology specialist, Library Christopher, Hayes, director of video and multi-media, University Web Zhong-ping Jiang, associate professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering Edna Kapp, counselor, HEOP Michelle Kerr, director of communications, University Relations Michael Kiezik, instructional technology specialist, Library Carolyn King, instructor, Mathematics Lorian King, administrative assistant, Financial Aid Alexander Korniakov, post-doctoral fellow, Othmer Chemical & Biological Sciences & Engineering Dina Kudasheva, post-doctoral fellow, Othmer Chemical & Biological Sciences & Engineering Victor Hugo Lane, assistant professor, Humanities & Social Sciences Roula Maloof, lecturer, Civil Engineering Joseph Manfredo, mechanic, Facilities Management Anna Lucia Martinez, NYC FIRST coordinator, Packard Center Charles Martucci, lecturer, Introductory Design & Science David Mugglin, instructor, Introductory Design & Science Christine Myers, associate director of donor relations, Development Gleb Naumovich, assistant professor, Computer & Information Science Gavin Paul, coordinator of user services, Library Myron Pollack, instructor, Introductory Design & Science Jinghua Qian, instructor, Mathematics Muhammed Shafi, post-doctoral fellow, Othmer Chemical & Biological Sciences & Engineering George Smith, director of corporate & foundation relations, Development
Congratulations! Bertram Stephens was promoted to lead custodian from custodian in Facilities Management. Correction:
Polytechnic currently has nine IEEE Fellows on its faculty. In addition to Kuo and Wang, they are Philip Balaban, Henry L. Bertoni, Robert R. Boorstyn, David C. Chang, H. Jonathan Chao, David J. Goodman and Charles W. Hoover.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
The following positions are currently open:
Christopher Columbus "discovers" Jamaica, naming it "St. Iago" (1494) . . . King Henry VIII accuses wife Anne Boleyn of adultery and incest and has her beheaded; 10 days later, marries her lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour (1536) . . . U.S. copyright law enacted (1790) . . . Washington, D.C., is incorporated as a city (1802) . . . Astor Hotel opens in NYC as most elaborate hotel in U.S.; later becomes Waldorf-Astoria (1837) . . . Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patents "flaked cereal" (1884) . . . Miss Pottelsberghe de la Pottery of Belgium is first female airplane passenger (1908) . . . 15 young women fired by Curtis Publishing for dancing "Turkey Trot" during lunch break (1912) . . . Fidel Castro announces end of elections in Cuba (1961) . . . Stevie Wonder releases "My Cherie Amour" (1969) . . . "Twilight Zone" director John Landis found innocent in deaths of actor Vic Morrow and two children during filming of movie (1987) . . . 76th National Spelling Bee champion Sai R. Gunturi wins with word "pococurante," meaning a careless or indifferent person [try using it in a sentence!] (2003) ePoly Briefs is published each month by the Office of Communications and Media Relations Editor: Therese E. Tillett, 718/260-3165, JB 551A  |
MAY Monday 3 Tuesday 4 Wednesday 5 Thursday 6 Friday 7 Sunday 9 Monday 10 Tuesday 11 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday 12 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday 13 Friday14 Saturday 15 Wednesday 18 Tuesday 25 Wednesday 26 Thursday 27 Friday 28 Monday 31 |
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Henry
A. McKinnell Jr., chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc., the world's largest
research-based pharmaceutical company, will give the address at Polytechnic's
149th Commencement on Thursday, May 27. The event, which begins at
3 p.m. in Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, will award approximately
600 Polytechnic students with bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
Polytechnic
will also award an honorary degree to Lawrence Shepp, acclaimed mathematician
and pioneer in brain imaging. Shepp is a professor of statistics at
Rutgers, University of New Jersey. In the 1970s, he invented, with
physicist Jay Stein, what was then known as the four-generation CAT
scanner. His discoveries led to modern 3-D imaging, which is now being
applied to predicting earthquakes and understanding and treating mental
disorders, heart disease and cancer.
previously held by Ellen Hartigan, will now become a dean's position,
reporting to Bud Griffis, vice president for academic affairs
and dean of engineering and applied sciences. Griffis has received
a third title—provost—and will now oversee all undergraduate activities—academic
and non-academic—including Admissions and the Registrar. T.C. Westcott,
vice president for finance and administration will manage
Polytechnic's information services, including PeopleSoft, My Poly
and the University's website. Richard Thorsen, vice president
for development and university relations, will oversee Alumni Relations,
which briefly reported to Student Affairs, and will continue to be
responsible for implementing the new strategic plan and Campaign 1-2-3, in addition to his basic fundraising responsibilities.
Poly
engineering students captured first place in the American Society
of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 17th annual regional concrete canoe competition
on May 1 in New Jersey. They defeated Rutgers, CUNY, Cooper Union
and Rowan University for the title. The race featured concrete canoes
that resembled fiberglass-racing canoes and boasted sophisticated
designs aimed at achieving the best combination of speed and maneuverability.
Kathy
Brock, in the category of Customer Service. In addition to providing
counseling services to students, as director of Poly's Counseling
Center, Kathy also consults with faculty and staff who are concerned
about particular students. A nominator praised her "tremendous creativity,
hard work and ongoing efforts to help Poly's students," and added,
"Since she came to Poly, she has revamped the entire counseling center
and has revitalized the role of counseling at the University. She
has reached out consistently and creatively to students, faculty and
staff."
Ellen
Daniels, in the category of Pride and Enthusiasm. As academic
adviser for undergraduates in the electrical and computer engineering
disciplines, Ellen advises students on their coursework, schedules
classes and certifies students for graduation. She is also the academic
adviser for all students on the men's basketball team, keeping them
on track in their studies. A student nominating Ellen wrote: "I felt
comfortable consulting her for not only education advice but also
personal advice, which enabled me to further advance in my efforts
to make myself a more well-rounded individual." The student also praised
Ellen's support of Poly's sports program, which included attending
games and cheering on team members. She treats students, wrote the
nominator, "not like a number but with respect."
Mona
Goldberg, in the category of Customer Service. In her role as
associate director of financial aid, Mona oversees the University's
work-study and scholarship programs, matching students with donors
and with outside scholarships. An employee nominating Mona for the
award wrote: "There is not a day that a student doesn't come to ask
Mona for help, and through all her day's work, she will drop everything
to help a student." One of the many examples is a student who wanted
to drop out of Poly. Wrote the nominator: "Even though Mona's days
are busy, she made it her business to ask me to help this student…and
then called back to ask if I was able to help. The student was helped
and is still enrolled, thanks to Mona."
Christopher
Hayes, in the category of Customer Service. Chris works with the
University's web team. You've probably also seen him behind a video
camera at Poly events; he is producer, director and editor for multimedia
and video work seen on the Poly Wall and the website. Currently, he
is at work on a video to commemorate Poly's sesquicentennial. "People
like him make Polytechnic a better place to be," wrote a student nominator,
who praised Chris' "dedicated service" in helping the student's club
with a recent conference, including lending personal equipment to
provide visuals. The student wrote: "Because of Chris' help, I was
able to put on a fully operating workshop. The fact that he let me
use his own equipment shows how far he goes beyond the call of duty."
Cheryl
A. McNear, in the category of Leadership and Teamwork. Cheryl's
job as director of student development encompasses numerous aspects
of student life at Poly. She oversees student government, clubs and
organizations; enforces the University's code of conduct, organizes
new-student orientation and freshman seminar; and promotes services
for students with disabilities. "Her time and dedication to the school
is enormous," wrote a student nominator, who cited, as an example,
a time when he felt depressed, and a friend suggested talking to Cheryl.
He wrote: "I was touched by the way she helped me out. Because of
that, I stand here right now writing about this extraordinary woman."
Another student nominating Cheryl wrote: "The problem is to name someone
who Cheryl has not impacted. Her promotion of student activities has
made Polytechnic a more relaxed environment, making it much easier
to learn and, I'm sure, to teach and work."
Gavin
Paul, in the category of Customer Service. As coordinator of user
services, Gavin Paul is the public face of Polytechnic's Dibner Library,
interacting with anyone who needs resources provided by the library.
Among his duties, he conducts presentations and workshops for the
Poly community on using the library and its databases for research.
He also runs library orientations for students, is the library liaison
for Humanities and Social Sciences, oversees the library's work-study
students, and mans the front desk to answer reference questions. Wrote
a nominator: "Gavin has taken on himself new responsibility in spite
of the fact that there is fewer library staff in his [area]. More
often than not, he is given very little time to prepare workshops.
Yet, he is able to customize each workshop based on the instructor's
requests." A humanities professor agreed, praising Gavin's "well-honed
workshops", which he called, "invaluable to both our experienced faculty
and our newly hired instructors." The professor added: "Gavin's extraordinary
ability to demystify the library's extensive resources will doubtless
result in higher quality research papers from our students."
George
Smith, in the category of Leadership and Teamwork. George is a
five-year veteran of Corporate and Foundation Relations, where, as
director, he raises funds through grants from foundations and companies.
He has also been involved in Polytechnic's new strategic plan and
the 1-2-3 recruitment, communications and branding teams. "George performs
above and beyond his responsibilities, often taking on extra work
with verve and enthusiasm," wrote a nominator, who added that George
"takes the trouble to provide feedback to people seeking advice or
additional perspective on the various things going on throughout the
school. Many of these things go beyond his 'day job.' Poly needs more
people like him."
Claire
(Yuanyuan) Feng, has joined as project leader in Assessment and
Institutional Research, replacing Krisoye Smith. Previously, she was
a programmer and data analyst for TOTO Images and the Transport Workers
Union Local 100. Poly is a family affair: She and her sister Cynthia
(Ying) came from Mainland China to Poly as students in 1999. Claire
earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science. (Cynthia,
who earned a BS in EE and MS in MOT, was, until recently, the systems
engineer for the University website. Claire can be reached at ext.
3483 and 
Adrienne
King was hired as the associate director in Financial Aid. She
replaces Raphael Villalona. King recently was the director of financial
aid at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan. A Spanish
Harlem native, King lives in Harlem. She can be reached at ext. 3025
and 
Brenda
Nieves-Matos, is the new director of student financial services
in Student Accounts, replacing Danniel O'Connor. Previously, she worked
at Manhattan College and Marymount Manhattan College. She lives in
the Bronx with her husband, Anthony, and their two sons, Joseph, 3,
and Brendan, 2. She can be reached at ext. 3333 and 
Robert
Griffin, coordinator of student programs, received a 
"I'll
think of it all tomorrow, at Tara. I can stand it then. Tomorrow,
I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another
day."