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STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Mr. Dan Bailey | Director of Admissions
 
1. What brought you to Nyack? 
While in high school, it was my aspiration to play basketball at a large university. At the same time, I felt a calling to prepare for ministry. Jerry Slocum, the head coach at Nyack College, who today is the coach of Youngstown State University and one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history, began to recruit me pretty heavily. He came to watch me play twice and it soon dawned on me that at Nyack I could prepare for ministry while playing the sport I loved. I was not only able to enjoy a wonderful career as a basketball player for the Nyack College Fighting Parsons, but I was able to become a part of community that helped shape me into someone equipped for life and service while earning a degree in psychology. I eventually received a Master of Professional Studies in church management at ATS.

2. What is your favorite Nyack College experience?
It's hard to isolate one experience as my favorite, but if I have to choose one particular season of time, I would say that being able to attend Nyack College with my sister, Heather, who is now a principal of a middle school in Redding, CA, and my brothers, Jon and Steve, who both were studying at ATS who now are respectively a pastor of a CMA church in Milford, CT and a college professor in California. We would often meet together on Sundays for some laughs. I never quite understood how special that was until years later.
 
3. Favorite food: 
My favorite food in the "caf" back in those days was grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. I remember eating 10 sandwiches in one sitting after a hard basketball practice. My metabolism was a bit faster back then. Off campus, I frequented Tarantella's Pizza. For better or worse, my visits have not been any less frequent as an employee of Nyack.

4. Latest Interesting Read: 
I recently read Christ, the Sum of All Spiritual Things by Watchman Nee, one of my favorite authors. I love how he sees and expounds on the sufficiency of Christ as revealed in the scriptures. 

5. Interesting Fact: 
I have discovered in recent years a passion and an aptitude for writing and hope to publish one day soon.
   
6. Anything else you would like to include: 
I have been blessed to be a part of the Nyack College community as a student in the 80s, a coach in the 90s and in recent years as the Rockland Admissions Director. Making these last few years even more special is the joy of working where my son Daniel, a Bible theology major, attends school. God has been good to me, and Nyack College has been center stage among God's blessings in my life.
Eighth Annual Nyack Scholars Symposium
The Center for Scholarship and Global Engagement (CSGE) at Nyack College hosted its Eighth Annual Scholars Symposium in collaboration with Washington, D.C.-based Center for Public Justice on November 2 (New York City campus) and November 3 (Rockland County campus). This year's theme was "In Search of Civil Engagement."
 
Plenary sessions at both campuses featured panelists (pictured l-r) Charity Haubrich, director of The Community Institute for Education at The Center for Public Justice; Greg Bish, director of Service-Learning at Gordon College; Dr. Vilma "Nina" Balmaceda, director of Nyack's Center for Scholarship and Global Engagement; Kevin den Dulk, director of The Henry Institute at Calvin College; and Anne Snyder, director of The Character Initiative at The Philanthropy Roundtable. In addition, breakout sessions included a showcase of research by professors as well as paired presentations by professors with students.  
Remembering Laverne Dantzler, Nyack Alumna & Staff Member
Nyack alumna ('98 AA, '01 BS) Laverne Dantzler passed into the presence of the Lord on August 18, 2016. Laverne completed a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education summa cum laude at Nyack College NYC. She also studied at ATS pursuing coursework in the Master of Professional Studies program concentrating in urban ministry. Laverne served on the Nyack NYC campus staff as a testing and tutoring coordinator from 2002-2005.
 
She was ordained as a minister by the People's Community Temple Inc. in Manhattan on February 9, 1977. She was a dedicated and committed member of Second Chance Christian Center in the Bronx since 2014. Laverne completed a chaplaincy program in 2015 with the New York State Chaplain Task Force, Inc.
SAVE THE DATE!
Nyack's Production of West Side Story
With a cast of students, faculty and special guests, the Nyack College Drama Department will present seven performances of West Side Story-the acclaimed and award-winning 1957 Broadway musical and 1961 film at the American Theatre of Actors, 314 West 54th Street, New York, NY. Click here for more details, including ticket info. Click here to meet the cast! 

Performances Dates and Times
Friday, December 2 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 3 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 PM
Thursday, December 8 at 8:00 PM
Friday, December 9 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 10 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 PM
SAVE THE DATE!
The Nyack College School of Music  in Concert 
at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center
Plan to join us on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. for this showcase of our School of Music's gifted students, alumni and faculty. Once again, on the stage of David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher Hall), these talented singers and musicians will present a program of diverse genres at this iconic cultural arts venue.

Since 1938, music has been a popular major on the roster of Nyack College's degree programs on both our Manhattan and Rockland County campuses.

Please visit nyack.edu/april7concert where details and information on ticket sales will be posted in the coming weeks. You don't want to miss this extraordinary Nyack event!
Dr. Louis DeCaro, Jr. assumed his new role as director of ATS, NYC campus on August 1.  Dr. DeCaro has served as the associate professor of church history, teaching a variety of history and theology courses for the past 11 years at ATS. 

Dr. DeCaro is a published author of several books including, John Brown Speaks: Letters and Statements from Charlestown; John Brown, Emancipator; Freedom's Dawn: The Last Days of John Brown in Virginia; and Signs of Hope in the City: Ministries of Community Renewal. 

Dr. DeCaro earned his Ph.D. and an MA at New York University as well as an MA at Westminister Theological Seminary and a BA at Geneva College.
Baby Face

Timothy and Jenny Lee welcomed baby girl Isabelle Joy Lee on July 8, 2016. Isabelle weighed 7 lbs., 4 oz. and measured 19-3/4 inches long. Isabelle joins big brother Parker.   

David Julien and wife, Gina, welcomed baby boy Aaron Henry Julien on August 31, 2016. Aaron weighed 10 lbs., 2 oz. and measured 21 inches long.  
 

Dr. James Nichols has welcomed his fourth granddaughter, Josie Gwen Wilson. Josie joins her UK missionary parents, Danielle (Nichols) and Joel Wilson, and her ten-year-old sister, Evie Oona. The Nichols family is looking forward to a reunion in West Milford, NJ to celebrate Josie's first Christmas.
 
Hobbies, Talents, Skills & More!


Dr. Stephen Bennett 
milled pine and ash logs with a portable Alaskan chain saw mill this summer. He used a Stihl MS170 saw with a Granberg MK-III mill attached and milled boards 1" and 2" thick to use in making rustic benches and shelving. 

Community Service

Dr. Maureen Kroning provided education on infection control to 10 local ambulance corps in the community in October. She participated in a mock youth corps drill in November that included seven local ambulances having their youth corps (ages ranging from 16-18) transport patients to the Emergency Room at Good Samaritan Hospital. The goal of this drill was to teach youth to recognize potential health and safety hazards, to develop safety measures and provide competent and quality care to patients while transporting them to an acute care facility. Dr. Kroning educated staff at Good Samaritan Hospital on the topic of "What is Spiritual Care?" and how to provide that care to others as well as its importance to health and wellness.

Keep us in the loop!

Please send your latest achievements including books published, research completed, honors received from professional organizations, fellowships awarded, oversight or development of service- learning projects, and work with community organizations to Erica Videc at [email protected].

Please provide details (who, what, where, when, why) and the significance of news in relationship to our core values, where possible. High resolution digital photos that you can share for publication are welcome. (Please note: copy may be edited for length.)

 

Don't forget...you're invited to submit information to the "Life After Hours...On My Time Clock" section of Class Act. We want to hear about the books you've read; fun vacations you've taken; cooking/baking skills (share your recipes); family tree updates; good habits; and unknown talents. Share your good news with us!
Like us on Facebook Join the Nyack College Alumni Facebook group or the Alliance Theological Seminary Alumni Facebook group to connect with classmates and receive important updates on alumni news, upcoming events, and campus happenings!

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Twitter @nyack_alumni for alumni news, upcoming events, and campus happenings!
Faculty Achievements 

Dr. Gerard Becker and Dr. Richard L. Ponschock's paper, "Digital divide: More than just a technology chasm," was published in the Journal of Strategic and International Studies. It won the Best Paper Award at the Multidisciplinary Academic Conference in October. 
Dr. Stephen J. Bennett submitted two articles over the summer. "Among the  Ruins of a Walled City: Reflections on War and Peace in Ecclesiastes 12.1-7" was submitted for publication in the volume The City in the Hebrew Bible: Conceptual, Literacy and Exegetical Studies of Biblical Urbanism, edited by Cambridge University professors Hilary Marlow and Jim Aitken. He also submitted a dictionary article on the Hebrew word tom ("completeness") for publication in the Global Wesleyan Dictionary of Biblical Theology, edited by Robert D. Branson.
Dr. Gordon Boronow 's article, "From the Liberty Bell to MLK's 'Let Freedom Ring,'" was published by The Christian Post on July 20, 2016. 
Dr. James Danaher signed a contract for his next book, The Philosophical Imagination and the Evolution of the Modern Mind: An Historical Narrative.

Dr. Elaine Eng is grateful to the Lord that her book, Resolve: How Faith Becomes Sight, was published in September 2016 by Healthy Life Press.

Dr. Janet Furness was appointed as the new Master of Social Work (MSW) program director. She has directed MSW programs at Roberts Wesleyan College, Union University, Ramapo College and Carver School of Church Social Work at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Currently engaged in several writing pursuits, she sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Social Work & Christianity and is a site visitor for the Council on Social Work Education. She served as an adjunct professor in the first year of Nyack's MSW program. While teaching at Roberts Wesleyan, she participated in developing curriculum dedicated to educating social workers for practice with congregations and communities. She is involved in congregational social work practice in Passaic County, NJ.
Dr. Stanley John 's article, "Diaspora Missions: Diaspora Churches as Equal Partners in Mission," was published in Christianity Today.



Dr. Len Kageler was awarded the Distinguished Youth Ministry Educator Award "for his significant contributions to the field of Youth Ministry Education through his scholarship, teaching and service to the Academy" by the Association of Youth Ministry Educators in October. This award is presented only once every five years.


Dr. Maureen Kroning  
published an article, "Lifelong Learning in Nursing," in the Journal of Christian Nursing. The following articles have been accepted for publication for 2017: "Have We Lost the Calling to Care for Others" and "Bringing Spiritual Care to the Bedside" in the Journal of Christian Nursing and "Care for All" and "59 Clicks" in Nursing Management. 
Prof. Brad McDuffie published an article with the Dwaarkill Study Center entitled "The Compass of The Word: Exploring Truth and Wonder in Poetry." 
Dr. Peter Park presented a lecture at the Nyack Library on the topic "What can fish tell us about the health of the Hudson River?" in November.  Concepts in ecology and evolution of fish were discussed, focusing on species of the Hudson River. Scientific standards used to measure the "health" of the river were explored in light of what we know about these fish and how they have been impacted. Local citizen science research education programs were introduced.
 
Dr. Park was interviewed for a kid's science blog, Science Savvy Kids. The interview captured a clear picture of his journey of love of fish. Want to find out how a kid who grew up in an urban setting became so interested in nature? Read the complete blog story here. 
Dr. Lisa Steiner along with four AGSC students/alumni, Sarah Zaske '16, Sabrina Duran, Melanie Molloy and Rosana Arteta, wrote an article entitled "Spiritual Factors Predict State and Trait Anxiety" that was published in The Journal of Religion and Health. This study was designed to examine the effect of spiritual well-being and spirituality on state and trait anxiety.  
Staff Achievements


Carol Ann Freeman and Bonita D'Amil's travel to Hungary to teach English to Hungarian children was a spotlight on Hungarian television. The objective of their travel was to partner with schools (both Christian and public) and the national church offering academic, but fun English programs focused on conversational English. View their television spotlight here.
Earl S. Miller was the keynote speaker at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the West Point/Highland Falls Bicentennial Rotary Club in October. 
Jodel Wright, Nyack's Women's Soccer Coach, had the opportunity this summer to travel to the Netherlands and Germany to learn and experience firsthand their "football" coaching methods. In the Netherlands, he worked alongside the technical director and coaching staff of Holland Football University. In Germany, Jodel reconnected with his former soccer teammate, Alex Schmidt '13, whose father, Hagen Schmidt, is head coach of Borussia Monchengladbach U-17 boys' soccer team. Coach Schmidt shared his coaching methods that provided Jodel with new techniques for pre-match preparations with the women's soccer team at Nyack. Jodel feels that because of implementation of the methods and techniques he leaned this summer, the women's soccer program at Nyack has seen a heightened level of improvement.