The Alumni Association of The City College of New York

Alumni Beat Newsletter

Volume 100 - October 2023

This issue of the Alumni Beat is our 100th issue! Thank you for reading our e-newsletter -- I hope you enjoy learning about the many events and activities. If you like receiving these newsletters, please consider supporting our efforts by becoming a member of your alumni association.


This newsletter is filled with many worthy upcoming events... and I hope you attend them all -- but if you have to choose... I suggest attending my favorite event of the year. At this year's Annual Alumni Gala we celebrate seven incredible CCNY graduates and their career success by awarding them with the prestigious Townsend Harris medal. The evening also includes alumni performances, speeches from the college administration, anniversary classes, the Finley Award presentation to David Jones (President and CEO of Community Service Society), cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a delectable 3-course dinner, dancing, and more! I hope you can join us: www.ccnyalumni.org/gala143.


In College news... it is a time for rankings! The City College of New York rose in several categories in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. CCNY is a top performer in social mobility (#11), undergraduate teaching (#39), and top public schools (#51), with an overall #105 ranking out of 443 national universities. Learn more here by clicking here.


On a more serious note, I have heard from many of you regarding the reprehensible terror attack by Hamas on Israel over the weekend. I want to bring attention to the statements put forth by the President of CCNY, the Chancellor of CUNY, and the President of the Alumni Association of CCNY on these senseless acts of violence. I know that many members of our community have cultural and family ties to that part of the world, and I pray for the safety and security of all people.


David Covington

Executive Director

Alumni Association of CCNY

Hello, CCNY Alumni! Fall is upon us, and so is the power of our Community!


As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, we bid farewell to summer and welcome the season of harvest and gratitude. Fall is here, and so is the time to reflect on the incredible strength and diversity of our CCNY Alumni community. 


In the spirit of continued celebration of National Hispanic Heritage month, we are thrilled to share some eye-opening statistics. Did you know that the Hispanic population in the United States has surpassed 62 million? That's not just a number; it's a testament to the immense contributions and influence of the Hispanic community, which accounts for more than half of the total U.S. population growth! 


Our community is as diverse as it is large. A significant number of Hispanics consider themselves indigenous or Native American, and a growing portion identify as Afro-Latino. The term "Hispanic" itself is an umbrella that covers people with roots in Spain, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean. If you want an even deeper dive, check out the Latinos in New York: Communities in Transition by one of our own, Professor Sherrie Baver


Our alumni continue to be shining examples of what can be achieved with a strong education and a resilient mindset. From educators and law enforcement officers to artists and activists, CCNY alumni are making waves in every sector. We can't wait to catch up with you all and celebrate the incredible diversity and strength of our community. Until then, stay safe, stay inspired, and keep making CCNY proud! 


"We can increase our power by increasing the degree to which others need or desire us as well as what we can offer." - Jose Ramon Sanchez (Latinos in New York, 2nd. Ed.)


Latino Affiliate Group of the Alumni Association of CCNY

Want to join? Send an email to: [email protected]

143rd Annual Alumni Gala

Click here to learn more about the Gala, honorees, and to RSVP

Other Upcoming Events

CCNY Graduate Studies Virtual Open House Month

October 3rd - 30th | Times Vary

Virtual event

Free

October at CCNY offers the chance to explore over 60 master's degree options, doctoral degree programs and advanced certificate opportunities. https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/admissions/graduate-studies


To register,​ CLICK HERE. Or for more information about this event, email [email protected]

Art Alumni Group Gallery Visit and Art Workshop

Saturday, October 14 | 12:30-4:30pm EST

Manspizer Art Gallery, White Plains, NY

*SOLD OUT*


Gallery tour and class with CCNY graduate and master artist Susan Manspizer.

The War Over a Democratic Future in Israel: A View from the Ground with a Glance to the Rest of the World

Tuesday, October 24 | 5:00-6:30pm

The Rifkind Center, NAC Bldg., Rm. 6/316, CCNY Campus

Free and open to the public


Legal scholar Yair Sagi and Legal and Literary scholar Ayelet Ben Yishai will be in conversation with Rifkind Center Director Mikhal Dekel as they discuss Israel’s first-ever exclusively conservative government and the large-scale, broad coalition protest movement that has emerged as a counterforce.


Click here for more information.

6th Annual Scarefest: A New American Nightmare

Tuesday, October 31 | 4:00pm-10:00pm EST

Entrance located at West 140th Street and Convent Avenue

ADA Entrance: Compton-Goethals Entrance & Amsterdam Ave (Between 139th & 140th street)

Free and open to the public


Family-friendly Hour (4PM–5:30PM)

Silent disco in the Hoffman Lounge & Children's fair in the NAC Ballroom

Click here to learn more about the event.

The Stuart Z. Katz Professor in the Humanities and the Arts lecture:

Asia in the Caribbean/ El Caribe en Asia with Araceli Tinajero

Thursday, November 2 | 4:30pm EST

Hybrid event (address below)

Free


You are cordially invited to a lecture and reception honoring Professor Araceli Tinajero, Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures, on the occasion of her installation as

The 2023-2024 Stuart Z. Katz Professor in Humanities and the Arts, presenting her lecture: Asia in the Caribbean / El Caribe en Asia.


CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (on the CCNY campus)

85 Saint Nicholas Terrace - Auditorium

New York City 10031


Click here to register (please register by October 25th)

Questions regarding an upcoming event, please contact
Nina Ferrell, Events Manager, at [email protected].
Recent Events

CCNY Freshman Convocation

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Conversations in Leadership at the Colin Powell School

A Conversation on Mindfulness and Meditation with Bob Roth and Rick Goings

Tuesday, September 19

(click the pictures to access a recording of this event)


The Five Demands @ Aaron Davis Hall

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

(click the pictures for more information on the film)

Education Alumni Affiliate Group of The Alumni Association of CCNY

Virtual Conference: Teaching Migrant Children

Wednesday, September 27

(click the pictures to access a recording of this event)

The Alumni Association of CCNY and CCNY Psychology Dept. present a book launch - Interpersonal Psychoanalytic Theory for the 21st Century: Evolving Self

Wednesday, September 27

(click the pictures to access a recording of this event)

CCNY Alumni Night @ NFL Giants NY Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks

and Hispanic Heritage Tailgate with CCNY

Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 | MetLife Stadium

The 8th Annual Sharon Cosloy - Edward Blank Family Distinguished Scientist Lecture with Dr. Susan Marqusee

Tuesday, October 10

Business and Economics Alumni Society (BEAS)

Financial Seminar with Bank of America

Thursday, October 12

Community Engagement Showcase

Thursday October 12

MEMBERSHIP / DONATE

Become a member of your Alumni Association! Your membership: 

  • makes a resounding statement of commitment to the entire CCNY community, 
  • connects you to our vast alumni network, 
  • strengthens the CCNY network through programmatic support to keep alumni engaged and informed, 
  • fuels Alumni Association’s scholarship efforts for current students. 


Join or Renew your membership (or learn more) at www.ccnyalumni.org

Questions? Call 212-234-3000 or email [email protected]


We cannot exist without your support. Membership is the lifeblood to this 170-year old, alumni-supporting-alumni institution. And your donation is 100% tax deductible.


Thank you to all our members who have already renewed

their membership for the 2023/2024 academic year.

Click here to Join, Renew or Donate
Member Benefit Highlights
The Alumnus Magazine
All Alumni Association members in good standing receive a printed copy of the magazine. If you feel you should have received a copy but didn't, contact [email protected] to inquire about your membership status. If you wish to pay for a printed copy, contact our office manager, Anthony Svitzer, at [email protected] or call 212-234-3000. Previous issues can be found online, by clicking here.

Story Ideas? Want to be featured in our magazine? We highlight and celebrate alumni who are making an impact in their industry and/or communities. Please contact us with your story ideas at [email protected]
TravelPerks
Travel is back! Save on your next vacation with exclusive benefits courtesy of the Alumni Association of CCNY. Plan your travel at the absolute best price, with the best service possible. You save and the Alumni Associa­tion of CCNY gets a donation with every vacation!

Click travelperks.com/alum-ccny or call 541-304-2220 to access your exclusive vacation savings.
For a full list of Member Benefits, visit www.ccnyalumni.org/benefits
Alumnus/a Spotlight

Alumni Gennady Khirich '07 and Stephen Ma '11 recently returned to The City College of New York on Sept. 28th for the Merck Info Session and Networking Event hosted by the Career & Professional Development Institute, in the newly formed Office for Experiential Learning.


Both Gennady and Stephen are currently associate principal scientists at Merck. Gennady was a physics major and graduated in 2007. He more specifically is an NMR Spectroscopist in the Digital & NMR Sciences Group within the Analytical Enabling Capabilities Organization. Stephen graduated in 2011 with his chemical engineering degree.


Congratulations Gennady and Stephen -- your alumni association is proud!

CCNY alumnus Troy Blackwell '17, a Biden-Harris political appointee, has been named senior adviser of the newly created office of enterprise integration at the Selective Service System (SSS). He will be the very first person to lead the office of enterprise integration, on detailed assignment from his current role as chief spokesperson and director of the office of press relations at his home agency Peace Corps. At the Peace Corps, Blackwell was the principal point of contact with news media in over 64 countries and the first openly LGBTQ person on record to be appointed spokesperson for the agency in its 62-year history. In his new role, Blackwell will advise on issues concerning communications workflows, strategic planning, organizational performance, policy implementation, and Presidential transition. 


Congratulations Troy - your alumni association is proud!

Athletics Highlights

The latest CCNY Athletics News

(click the links below to learn more)

CCNY Women's Soccer Blanks Brooklyn, 8-0, in Home Opener

CCNY's Gian-Carlo Riehl Named CUNYAC Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week

CCNY's Sarah Rodriguez Named CUNYAC Rookie of the Week

CCNY Men's Cross Country Competes Highlander XC Challenge

CCNY Women's Cross Country Competes Highlander XC Challenge


Get more headlines at: https://ccnyathletics.com/

Interested in joining the CCNY athletics alumni community? To learn more about the Alumni Varsity Group, an affiliate of the Alumni Association of CCNY, email us at [email protected].

For more information about CCNY Athletics, please visit us at www.CCNYAthletics.com
or follow us on social media: Facebook (CCNY Athletics), Twitter (@CCNYSports),
and Instagram (@CCNYSports).
Professional Opportunities
CCNY's Career and Professional Development Institute offers career advice and professional development to CCNY Alumni Association members. For more information contact us at [email protected].
Mentoring Services for CCNY Alumni
Click here to learn more.

The Alumni Association and The City Tutors' City Mentors Program have partnered to offer CCNY students and graduates a way to get quickly connected to industry insiders who can help with career exploration and career transition. We have over 400 mentors from across industries available.

Want to be a Mentor?
To learn more or sign up, go here: www.thecitytutors.org/mentorship.

If you have additional questions, feel free to schedule a call with Garri Rivkin, Executive Director of The City Tutors, here: calendly.com/grivkin
CCNY Alumni Association members get a 10% discount.

Please view the CPS course catalog: https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/cps/catalog. For more information on all Continuing and Professional Studies classes at CCNY, tuition, schedule, and the Alumni Association Member discount, visit www.ccny.cuny.edu/cps or email Raymond MacLeish, Program Manager, [email protected].
Stay connected. And join the conversation on social media.
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