L to R: Alexandra Acevedo, Nikala D’Aguiar, Professor Mindy Engle-Friedman, Jenny Ho, and Winnie Lin. | Colgate-Palmolive Sends Baruch's Climate Changemakers to United Kingdom | Three students representing Baruch’s Heat Island Resiliency Project were awarded $10,000 by the Colgate-Palmolive Company in order to present their original research at the British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR) on April 5th and 6th at the University of Warwick, in Coventry, England. There, at a gathering that included over 70 colleges from around the globe, they brought data, both quantitative and qualitative, that offers a close look at New York City’s most vulnerable—those in neighborhoods most affected by a phenomenon known as the Urban Heat Island Effect—to the world’s stage. |  | Over the past two years, Jenny Ho, Nikala D’Aguiar, and Samia Alam (L to R), under the stewardship of Associate Professor Mindy Engle-Friedman of the Psychology Department, collected and collated data from several low-income neighborhoods including, Kingsbridge Heights in the Bronx and East Flatbush in Brooklyn. After analyzing several years' worth of statistics, they created a detailed report that provides a real-time snapshot of these New York City communities, profiling in stark relief the ways that climate change is taking its toll. Taken together, their research shows that metropolitan areas, and particularly those occupied by people of color, are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas because of the wide use of asphalt, concrete, and buildings that are heat absorbent and a scarcity of trees; the absence of green spaces and cooling centers; and the need to improve local communication networks that provide information and enable residents to work together. | | | |
Weissman DEI Is Now Online |  | |
A new hub for all things DEI at Weissman is now online and available to the public.
The website is the latest outcome of Dean Jessica Lang's re-envisioning of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices at Weissman. In collaboration with the three inaugural Dean’s Fellows—David Milch, Pablo Peixoto, and Cheryl Smith, the Weissman DEI Alliance began as an attempt to reimagine the structure of the typical DEI committee, leading to a collaborative working group inclusive of all departments college-wide. Expanding its vision to think not only about the impact DEI might have locally, the Alliance also aims to rethink the challenges faced by specific disciplinary fields.
Smith, the Interim Associate Dean, now oversees WSAS DEI, which continues to expand its reach with new partnerships, brown bags, and social events. The Alliance this year has added a new working group on Student Success, including new faculty mentorship models. To help accomplish this work, DEI at Weissman in partnering with staff and entities across campus dedicated to student success, beginning this semester with the assistant director of Success Amplified, René Hernandez, who met with the Alliance at its February 2023 meeting.
The website features a frequently refreshed collection of news stories, and the latest cross-college partnerships, information, and initiatives.
This website is all about collaboration and inclusion. Ideas for stories or partnerships? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact: daniel.jacobson@baruch.cuny.edu
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Silberman Concert Series Triumphantly Returns With Hour of Mesmerizing Jazz Improvisation | Pianist Aaron Diehl and Silberman Concert Series Director Abby Anderton | |
On March 21, the Aaron Diehl Trio treated a full room of Baruch students, staff, and faculty, to de/reconstructed renditions of such jazz standards as “You Go to My Head” and “Tea for Two." Diehl, channeling Jelly Roll Morton, Thelonious Monk, and sometimes Mozart, gave Baruch a sublime, hour-long affair to remember.
Howard Sherman, Managing Director of the Baruch Performing Arts Center was thrilled with the results and audience response. "This was a terrific start to getting back into the swing of things with presenting at BPAC," he said. "And, I want it noted that Abby Anderton and I began conversations about the next Silberman concert 17 minutes after the end of this one!"
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Baruch College Hosts "The Newsies," the Only Awards in NYC for Excellence in Public High School Journalism
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Ranyeli Rodriguez, a junior at the Laboratory of Finance and Technology School and Citywide Second Place Winner of the "National/World News with a Local Lens" category.
Photo by Ticker TikTok editor Amy Pulster.
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The only competition specifically for NYC public high school journalism – The Newsies at Baruch College – has announced its 2023 winners. Students and newspapers from 11 high schools, located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, received awards.
Developed at Baruch, The Newsies Best in NYC Public High School Journalism Awards celebrate outstanding student journalism across nine categories, including feature writing, illustration/comics/cartoon, multimedia reporting, national/world news with a local lens, opinion/editorial writing, photojournalism, sports writing, and best online newspaper.
The competition is judged by prominent journalists and journalism educators.
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Howard Sherman Is the New Managing Director of BPAC |  | |
Howard Sherman has been appointed Managing Director of the Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC). Dean Jessica Lang made the announcement on March 8, the one-year anniversary of his appointment as Interim Managing Director. During that first year, Sherman oversaw the reopening of the facility in May 2022; it had been closed since March 2020.
“I look forward to building out a full season of presented work for 2023-24 and to reconnecting BPAC with the broadest mix of work from the creative community, in service of Baruch students, the school, the Flatiron neighborhood, and New York City at large,” Sherman said.
A veteran arts administrator, Sherman served as executive director of the American Theatre Wing, executive director of the O’Neill Theater Center, managing director of Geva Theater, general manager of Goodspeed Musicals, and public relations director of Hartford Stage; he was also interim director of Inclusion in the Arts.
Sherman also regularly writes about the arts. He has been the US columnist for The Stage newspaper in London since 2012, and his articles have appeared in American Theatre, The Guardian, Theatermania, and TDF Stages, among others. A widely recognized advocate against censorship and for artists' rights, he was recognized in 2015 with the Defender Award from the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund.
His book, Another Days Begun: Thornton Wilder’s Our Town in the 21st Century, was published in 2021 by Methuen Drama.
BPAC's next major event is a co-presentation of Heartbeat Opera’s spring season, featuring Tosca and Lady M in repertory. For more information on BPAC and its programs, visit www.bpac.baruch.cuny.edu.
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FACULTY NEWS, PUBLICATIONS, AND MEDIA MENTIONS | | |
Abby Anderton Wins Humboldt Research Fellowship
Abby Anderton, Associate Professor of Music at Baruch College and the Graduate Center, won a prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship, an award which allows researchers at various stages in their careers to conduct research at the German institution of their choice.
Anderton will use the fellowship to continue work on her Audible Testimonies book project, which explores the music of female Holocaust survivors in postwar Germany.
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Johanna Fernandez in Refinery 29
Johanna Fernandez, Associate Professor of History at Baruch College and the Graduate Center, is quoted in "More Latinas Are Becoming Estheticians — Here’s Why," a Refinery 29 article examining the predominance of Black and brown women and girls in the beauty industry.
Check it out here.
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Dr. Sabrina Kizzie in The Philadelphia Inquirer, on Sirius XM, and at the 2023 MBAA International Conference
Dr. Sabrina Kizzie, a social media lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies, is quoted in "Stop blaming Gisele Fetterman and Jill Biden for their husbands’ actions"
Check out the article here.
This week, Kizzie was a guest on Sirius XM's Small Business Report, discussing her research on the spending power of Black millennials. The episode will air at the end of May.
In addition, her abstract entitled "Key Factors that Drive Black Millennials' Acceptance of Mobile Advertising" was accepted by the MBAA International/ISM Spring Conference 2023, which will take place in Chicago.
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Shelly Eversley in The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
Professor of English and Interim Chair of the Black and Latino Studies Department (BLS), Shelly Eversley was featured in The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education in recognition of her recent work securing an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship to support BLS.
Check it out here.
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Chris Campanioni in The Massachusetts Review
Visiting Lecturer in the Department of English Chris Campanioni published "Magic Marker" in The Massachusetts Review. A personal reflection on memory, the essay explores the way family dynamics and histories affect the understanding of the past.
Check it out here.
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Howard Sherman on Indiana Public Radio
Baruch Performing Arts Center's Managing Director and advocate for uncensored high school theatre, Howard Sherman, was interviewed on Indiana Public Radio.
At Fort Wayne, Indiana's Carroll High School, a production of Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood, a play which portrays the titular outlaw as Maid Marian in disguise, was recently canceled over concerns from parents over LGBTQ+ themes.
Read Sherman's powerful comments and listen in here.
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MISHKIN GALLERY FEATURED IN NYTIMES AND MORE
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The Mishkin Gallery and Pioneer Works' current exhibition, “What Is Psychedelic,” the first ever institutional survey of Aura Rosenberg's oeuvre, has garnered laudatory reviews from some of the art world's top publications. Check out all the exciting press below:
On April 9th, Mishkin Gallery and Pioneer Works Press will release an accompanying monographic reader. The publication pairs full-color plates of the artist’s work alongside both newly commissioned and archival texts penned by artists, historians, and curators including, Lena Dunham, Alaina Claire Feldman, Matt Keegan, Claire Koron Elat, Laura López Paniagua, Tim Martin, John Miller, Bob Nickas, Barbara Piwowarska, Lumi Tan, and Alexandra Tell.
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Read Lena Dunham's reflection from the collection here.
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Professor Finke began teaching at Baruch in 1978 in the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature. His specialty was Spanish Peninsular literature and linguistics. He was the editor of the journal Geolinguistics to which he regularly contributed. He was the principal spirit behind the journal and its yearly conference which brought together linguists from all over the world. Above all, it was his ceaseless activities and presence on campus that so deeply touched not merely his colleagues in the department but everyone at Baruch. He was particularly loved by his students and the mentorship and support he provided them were legendary and made him an essential part of their lives. It was a common sight to see alumni who had graduated years ago visiting him at his office, going regularly to lunch and dinner with him and, in the last few months when his health had declined, providing him with help and assistance. As the deputy chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature for more than twenty years, and as secretary of the Weissman Faculty for many years, he was tireless in the performance of his responsibilities. Wayne was on campus on weekends and weekdays, working in his office; he was known for his “open door” at all times and on all days.
His passing is an irreparable loss to us.
—Ali Nematollahy, Chair of Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature
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CONSTANCE DENNE, 1933 - 2023 | | | |
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Over the course of her thirty years as a member of the English department at Baruch College, Professor Connie Denne, in a variety of academic leadership roles, gained the admiration of her colleagues for her intelligence, grace, and poise. She consistently articulated the virtue of restraint, thereby helping to establish for the department and the college an enduring structure based on mutual respect and cooperation under which all of us, including those who never knew her, continue to flourish. When discussions in leadership bodies sometimes came to be guided by passion more than intellect, Connie often put things back on a rational course, reminding us that the civilizing aims of unity and cooperation must not be lost to the distractions of momentary enthusiasms and their accompanying entropy. She kept us on the far-sighted course, leading with the aegis of Wisdom. To her, we are all deeply indebted.
—Harold Brent, Emeritus Professor of English
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I did a workshop in which I conducted a “class” in Swahili, giving them simple greetings and teaching how Swahili speakers tell time (they use a 12-hour clock, but the first hour is our “7 o’clock,” etc.) The intention was to demonstrate to our colleagues what an ESL student might feel like in our classes: surrounded by a language they had no cognates for, learning a new piece of “culture” different from their own. She was the best “student” of all our faculty; she snapped up all the greetings and figured out very quickly how to get the corresponding “hours” to match up, even though I know she had no experience with Swahili. A smart, scholarly professional and a kind, caring colleague.
—Gerard Dalgish, Emeritus Professor of English
Connie and Barbara [Gluck] were probably the two most genuinely religious members of the department, and they appreciated each other. It was typical of Connie to recall the details of Barbara's explaining Jewish customs to her, as she did when she lauded Barbara. They also shared an affinity for Irish literature and culture. Connie had been left a cottage in Ireland by one of her family and for a while, she and Jack spent holidays there after having renovated it.
When I came to Baruch, in 1972, the English Department was full of rivalries and spite, and Connie always stayed above the fray. She was a very good and decent human being who gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and served as a peacemaker when possible. She was a very punctilious scholar, a careful and dogged annotator, while also demonstrating deep enthusiasm for her subjects. She taught American literature for years and kept up high standards for her students without alienating or aggrieving them. Most important, perhaps, is that she had a wonderful sense of humor. She was always ready to laugh rather than to complain.
—Paula Berggren, Emeritus Professor of English
She was truly a fine person, always willing to help resolve issues in the department and welcoming to newcomers. She could be counted on and never failed to serve the English Department with grace and intelligence.
She and her husband Jack were such a splendid couple.
—Roslyn Bernstein, Emeritus Professor of Journalism
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Musician and Baruch Grad Student Brings Her Passion for DEI to the AAAE, New York City, and Beyond
Angela Chi-Chi Glass, a current student of Weissman Graduate Studies’ MA in Arts Administration program, has been named the Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) 2022-23 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Research Fellow. EDI Research Fellows at AAAE investigate the confluence of equity, diversity, and inclusion and arts management programs, a position that Glass’s lived experience and passion for artistic community makes her a perfect fit for.
The daughter of Peruvian parents, Glass came to the United States at a young age and was raised by her Lima-born aunt and a Brooklyn Jew from Flatbush in the town of Virginia Beach, Va. Not too different from any other kid trolling the beaches of Southern Virginia, the navel city's cultural and linguistic diversity became surprisingly formative for Glass.
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Dollars & Sense Takes Home Another Crown Award
Once again, Dollars & Sense has won a Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, this year, securing a Silver for Digital News.
The Crown Awards honor top student publications chosen from CSPA’s members. Student publishing in news, magazine, yearbook or digital (online) formats are all-eligible. During Crown consideration, publications are judged on their excellence as shown by their design, photography, concept, coverage and writing. A total of 805 publications were eligible for judging.
Special congratulations to Dollars & Sense co-editors-in-chief Yadira Gonzalez and Miranda (Mira) Ciganek, and to all the students who have contributed stories this past year. A special shout-out to participants in the impressive Arizona package, under the mentorship of Professors Vera Haller and Andrea Gabor.
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Master's Candidate in Industrial Organizational Psychology Becomes Managing Director of EDI Initiatives for Theatre Communications Group
The Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has promoted Elena Chang, a current student in Weissman's newly reactivated Executive MSIOP graduate program, to the position of managing director of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives. Chang has served as TCG’s director of EDI initiatives since August 2018.
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“I Know Who Caused COVID-19”: Pandemics and Xenophobia: Interfaith Initiative: Faith, Conflicts, and Coalition Series - a conversation between Dr. Zhou Xun and Dr. Sander Gilman-April 17 at 5:30pm in NVC 14- 285.
Contact: carina.pasquesi@baruch.cuny.edu
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Publication Launch and Celebration, Location: Pioneer Works. Join Mishkin Gallery and Pioneer Works to celebrate the release of What Is Psychedelic, a new co-publication that pairs full-color plates of Aura Rosenberg’s work with essays by artists, historians, and curators that offer the first comprehensive overview of her oeuvre. Contributors will read excerpts of their texts and Aura Rosenberg will be present to sign copies of the book. April 9, 2pm-3pm.
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Baruch College Campus Art Tour, Location: Baruch’s Vertical Campus, 1st Floor Lobby. Presented in collaboration with Undergraduate Student Government, this tour provides an opportunity to discover the college’s art collection installed around the Baruch College campus. The tour has been organized by Dasom Sohn, Mishkin Gallery’s Nagelberg Graduate Fellow, and Carlos Nazario, Mishkin Gallery’s Curatorial and Collections Assistant. Priority will be given to Baruch students. April 20, 1pm. RSVP here
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Walter Benjamin’s Berlin, Online, Zoom, Co-organized with Baruch’s Sandra Kahn Wasserman Jewish Studies Center, this online event brings together artist Aura Rosenberg, writer Kirsty Bell, and scholar Laura López Paniagua to discuss the ongoing influence of Benjamin’s writing on Berlin in the context of What Is Psychedelic and beyond. April 27,12pm. RSVP here
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After Hours, Our doors stay open late to celebrate the current exhibition. Light refreshments will be served and artist Aura Rosenberg will be in attendance. May 8, 6-8pm
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Great Works Reading Series Featuring Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, April 17-20, Engelman Recital Hall, BPAC.
| - Turning Your Art into a Business Idea. April 18 12:30-2:00pm, NVC 2-140
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Jewish Studies Yom HaShoah poetry event. April 18 2:30pm, Engelman Recital Hall, BPAC
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Baruch’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts is pleased to present our spring production of BKLYN The Musical, directed by Dominique Plaisant. The musical is about a band of soulful street-corner singers and storytellers from the heart of Brooklyn. With a mix of pop and soul, they set their stage and tell a wondrous sidewalk fairy tale about a young girl searching for fame and the father she never knew. The production will run in the Bernie West Theatre from April 18 to 22 at 7:30pm. Run time: approximately 2 hours with intermission. Tickets are $10 for students, $16 general public.
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- Sam Pollard Reading and Conversation. April 20, 5pm Reception, 6pm Event. Asriel and Marie Rackow Conference Room 750. Baruch College Library Building, 151 E. 25th St.
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Sam Pollard Films Festival The festival will be showing:
Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power (90 minutes)
Citizen Ashe (95 minutes)
Black Art: In the Absence of Light (85 minutes)
MLK/FBI (96 minutes)
April 24th and 25th, from 5:45 pm, BPAC.
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Globus Lecture: Fictions of the Museum: The Limits and Possibilities of the 21st-Century Latin American Novel in Times of Information Overload. Prof. Jorge Téllez (University of Pennsylvania) presents his ongoing book project on how 21st-century Latin American novels engage the figure of the museum to reflect on the relationship between collective and individual cultural memory in our contemporary hypermediated society. Some of the questions that the novels he studies ask are: How do narratives shape our understanding of social relations? What are museums for in a time of information overload? What is the role of art in a world increasingly overwhelmed by the proliferation of conspiracy theories and fake news? In these novels, the museum as an institution appears in its complex and problematic nature as the repository of colonialist imagination and violence and as a site where fiction can teach us to look at the world and to listen to each other by taking a sept back from our hectic lives. On zoom. Apr 26, 12:30 PM. RSVP here.
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The Annual Bernard Baruch Dinner: Honoring Professor and Co-Director of Weissman's Master in Financial Engineering Program, Dan Stefanica. Apr 26, 6:30 PM. RSVP here.
| - Political Science Research Colloquium by Professor Matt Malis (Princeton), April 27th, 4-5pm
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Research & Creative Inquiry Expo 2023 -The Research & Creative Inquiry Expo aims to promote undergraduate research and creative expressions at Baruch College by allowing students to showcase their work and knowledge beyond their classrooms. Undergraduate students in all majors may submit either an individual or group project. The Expo will take place on Thursday, May 11, and projects will be due on Tuesday, May 2. For more information, please visit the Expo website.
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Register for DEI Fridays HERE; Find recordings and resources from last year's DEI Fridays HERE.
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In the March edition, Professor Alison Griffiths' department affiliation was identified incorrectly; it’s Communication Studies not Fine and Performing Arts.
Please send all future corrections and requests to baruchwsas@baruch.cuny.edu
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